Russia Refuses to Lift Economic Sanctions
Russia rejected U.S. and European Union calls to lift economic sanctions on Georgia, saying it had cut transportation links to curb a military buildup by its pro-Western neighbor.
Russia halted rail, air and postal connections with the former Soviet republic in response to the arrest of four Russian military officers on spying charges. The four were released Monday.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei V. Lavrov said Georgia was channeling money from organized crime in Russia into a slush fund to buy weapons in a military buildup directed at the Georgian breakaway regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia, both backed by Moscow.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
