WORLD BRIEFING / RUSSIA
Peace talks aimed at healing rifts from the Russian-Georgian war broke down before they could start when the delegations from Russia and Georgia’s two separatist provinces refused to take part, mediators said.
“The co-chairs strongly regret the walkout by the Russian participants,” the U.N., European Union and Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe said.
It was supposed to be the first meeting since February between Georgia, Russia and Russia’s allies from the breakaway Georgian regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia.
The mediators said the Abkhaz delegation refused to attend. The South Ossetians sat briefly, then walked out, followed by the Russians.
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.
