Russian President recognises both Abkhazia and South Ossetia

On 26 August 2008 Russian President Dmitry Medvedev recognized both Abkhazia and South Ossetia and ordered the foreign ministry to sign partnership agreements with the two Georgian separatist regions. Various Western governments and international organizations have strongly criticized the move, which increases tensions in the region and with the West. Georgian officials have called the recognition an "unconcealed annexation" of the regions. Meanwhile, the announcement was met with street celebrations in the two regions' capitals, Sukhumi and Tskhinvali. South Ossetian leadership has also requested that Russia build a military base in the region. Earlier reports had indicated that two U.S. Navy ships were en route to the Georgian port city of Poti, where they would deliver humanitarian aid on 27 August. The delivery had raised concerns, as Russian forces continue to man checkpoints in the area. However, the U.S. Embassy in Tbilisi has since retracted the statement, saying that is cannot confirm the planned arrival of the vessels.