French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner has accused Russia of breaking international law by recognizing the independence of the Georgian territories of South Ossetia and Abkhazia, reported AP.
Kouchner says the EU "cannot accept these violations of international law" and other agreements, including U.N. resolutions.
The minister also warned on Europe 1 radio Wednesday of the danger of ethnic cleansing by Russian forces. He says there is "evidence that the armies are pushing away the Ossetians that favored Georgia, and in a certain way, yes, an ethnic cleansing is taking place."
Fighting between Russia and Georgia broke out in South Ossetia on Aug. 7. France currently heads the European Union and has taken a leading role in trying to ease the ensuing crisis.