WAR: Putin Issues Ultimatum; Georgia Stands Alone (Updated)

By Noah Shachtman

Russian troops have already routed Georgian forces in the breakaway region South Ossetia. Now, Moscow has seized Georgia's military base at Senaki. The Russians have issued an ultimatum to Georgia's military to surrender in and around the pro-Russian separatist enclave of Abkhazia, the New York Times reports. And everybody is wondering whether "whether Russia... will push beyond these regions and further into Georgia."

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Vladimir Putin says all Russia is trying to do is bring its "peacekeeping mission to the logical conclusion.” And he warned the U.S. not to get involved. "It's a pity that some of our partners instead of helping are in fact trying to get in the way," Putin said at a Cabinet meeting. "I mean among other things the United States airlifting Georgia's military contingent from Iraq effectively into the conflict zone."
Georgia certainly identifies with -- and considered itself an ally of -- the West. After fighting broke out, Georgian state television even switched from the national news to the anti-Russian, Cold War classic flick "Red Dawn." So it's understandable that the people there are begging for Western help -- they're even looking for Israel to pressure Russia. But despite strong words from U.S. bigwigs, it's become increasingly clear that nobody is coming to Georgia's aid. "Georgians are wondering, where is NATO? NATO isn't coming. Deal with it. Saakashvilli staked his presidency on it and failed. Find new leaders, leaders who will find a way of satisfying Russian demands. Otherwise, nothing will ever get better or change in Georgia," Sean-Paul Kelley says. Saakashvilli "provoked this fight... And as [the Russians] continue their drive to Gori it's clear that when this is over and the time to make peace arrives Russia will be in a position of strength."
"The world has sent a signal to Russia[:] your strategic objectives are acceptable," writes Galrahn at Information Dissimenation. And it's a lesson "that will not be lost on other states that share a border with Russia, Nightwatch notes.

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