What must Russia be punised for? For protecting the main human right-right tolife -from Georgian lunatic? 1500 deaths in one night and completely destroyed city is not enough? Well, compared to 'heroic' deeds of the universal democrats in Iraq Georgians still need much to learn.

Sergejs, London

Sergejs Puzins, London, The UK

Russia loves neutral independent countries on the borders, not aggressive military puppets of US.

Andrey, Moscow, RUSSIA

Hitler was trying to export Nazi ideology and failed.

The Soviet Union was trying to export the communist ideology and failed.

We are trying to export democratic ideology and...

Do we have democracy in Afganistan?
Do we have democracy in Irak?
Do we have democracy in Kosovo?

Forget it.

Igor , Gainesville, Georgia, USA

Reply to Andriy, Moscow.

First of all ossetians and abkhazians want to be independent, so they have no need to move elsewhere. Second, according to your logic, if georgians want to be a part of NATO they should move to the NATO's countries.

Evgeniy, Moscow, Russia

After demolishing Iraq Bush & Condi Rice (Blair lurking in the shadows) had the chutzpah to state that America intended creating a new Middle East. It hasn't happened but US has lost 4200 dead, 30,000 serious casualties and finds no exit. Millband is provoking a 2nd Crimean War by his bellicosity.

Billoo Bhai, London, UK

Scott from USA.

If you like partying so much why dont you volunteer and party in Afghanistan or Iraq. They are short of soldiers there and with some military experience you will ready to lead a charge into defending Ukraine. It is such rhetric that lead Bush\Blair into needless slaughter.

Billoo Bhai, London, UK

You Brits seem to hate Miliband, and you say it with complete freedom, now lets see the Putin haters post!, oh wait, they won't, because if they do, it is gooolog time!
I am so happy to live in a free country, I hope I can party with the free Ukrainians and Georgians!

Scott, Kalispell, USA

I'm cringing with embarassment yet again, thanks to our pathetic government. If this is supposed to raise Miliband's credibility, then once again it shows how out of touch with reality these idiots really are.

Please call an election soon!

Sam, Sheffield, UK

Can someone explain why it was OK for the west to launch massive military attacks on Serbia when they used military action against their "breakaway" states, but it is wrong for Russia to do the same against Georgia when they attack a region and people who do not want to be Georgian?

Stan, Slough, England

Gordon, all is forgiven, please sack Milliband before he wreaks any more havoc.

Steve, London,

To Maciej Skiba, Chicago, USA
are 1500+ murdered civilians in S Osetia by Georgian soldiers on the 7th of August are not enough to call this genocide? how many people the Georgian army should have killed for you to understand the difference?

Leonid, Moscow,

Dear Maria, from Saint-Petersburg, Russia,
As we Georgians are not Slavic, you, Russians have a right to support resizing our territory and call Ukrainians, to support your injustice because they too are Slavic?! Did I perceive your logic rightly? Is it a True Russian Logic?

Tamricko, Tbilisi, Georgia

To reach a high position in a western power these days you have to be a cynical, lying stooge. These men are at the service of banks and corporations. All their talk about democracy and freedom is just a smoke curtain. Wake up everybody!

Humberto, Quito, Ecuador

Having friends in the West and in the East and reading (from the Middle East) the discussions on the crisis, I am surprised how the Russians are more balanced (despite in their rights in that situation I think) and the Westerners are reluctant to view the whole picture. I am talking about the ordinary people. The politicians are hopeless. 

Plamen, Dubai,

We must compare apples to apples here folks. Too many comparisons to Kosovo and other regions. None of these situations are identical, but the conclusions drawn are........

Your internal biases draw most of your conclusions to the aggression.

Gary, Kansas, USA

Another handicapped gorilla pom-pom propaganda.

chomsky, paris,

Buffer zone is needed to make sure that Georgia will not attack again. People living there should blame their government with the clown-leader.
And shame on Britain who supports Saakashvili's democracy during which not that long ago the opposition protests were suppressed with brute forced...

Iggy, London, UK

England has been long recognized as America's favorite pet. Namely - poodle. So, I think Russia will pay as much attention to this epistola as it deserves. I expect Russia will act like any reasonable men acts on poodle barks.

Vasili, Minsk, Belarus

Talking about International law:

Under UN Security Council Resolution 1244 (1999) Serbia's territorial integrity was protected. On 17 February 2008, the Kosovo Assembly declared its independence from Serbia recogrized by US, UK and Germany.

Kosovo clearly created precedent.

Dmitriy, Philadelphia, US

Siliband should not be believed or taken notice of. Russia has done the right thing in protecting the south Osetians. This man should keep quiet but at least it proves he has no leadership potential. Gordon Brown should remove him before he does some real damage.

frank, Lanchester,

To Maria from Saint Petersburg.
We may all be Slavic but the origin of Ukraine (Kyiv Rus) is distinct from the origin of Russia (Muscovy).
You will understand.

Walter, Victoria, Canada

Response to Evgeny,
If the people from Abhazia and South Osetia want to be with Russia and under their command, then they should move to Russia and not to make their own country inside Georgia.

Andriy, Moscow,

Russia has a long history of brutalizing Ukrainians. 10 million Ukrainians dead in an artificial famine in 1932-1933 alone. Russia never had a 'Nuremberg Like' trial, in fact Putin stated "that the loss of the Soviet Union was the biggest geopolitical tragedy of the 20th century. WAKE UP FOLKS !

Greg, Montreal, Quebec, Canada

Yeah, Russia is innocent in punishing the "evil" Georgia.. which is a democracy and NATO is just supposed to watch. Democracy is 2/3 of the world and zero tolerance on it's own interests. Georgia deserved a battle but those positions are of strategic value. No, we don't like that.

JAMES, Lynchburg, USA

It seems as Mr. Miliband has been out of office lately! Has he missed Afghanistan, Iraq, Serbia? Has he forgotten that Britain was along the US the mastermind of "FREE KOSOVO"? No international law there...
So, I would warmly recommend Mr Miliband to do some research when he gets back to office..

Tijana, Belgrade,

People, come on! Just ask ossetians and abkhazians what they whant. Why we all decide for them? Let htem live as they want. Isn't democracy is about that?

Evgeny, Moscow, Russia

About territorial integrity and International law:
Under UN Security Council Resolution 1244 (1999) Serbia's territorial integrity was protected. On 17 February 2008, the Kosovo Assembly declared its independence from Serbia with support from US, UK and Germany.

Dmitriy, Philadelphia, US

Still, vox populi says it's not Russian aggression but peacekeeping - at the moment ongoing vote at

http://StopRussianAggression.com

is 85% pro-Russia. Whad do YOU think?

Tobi, Almarto,

After Kosovo,Iraq, Lebanon, and the threats towards Iran, Pakistan it would appear that NATO is morally bankrupt.

How many NATO affiliates have condemned Israel for it's expansion. and it's occupation of Palestine, or Israel's part in the Georgian attack S.O.

I wonder Why?

Joe miles, greenock,

In Africa we have 54 countries. Europeans killed, exploited, and enslaved millions of our people, carving a huge divide that we will never recover from. Let Mr Miliband stay at home and read some history books, he might learn a few things about equal rights & justice. Your ice cream just melted sir

Blanshard Meheux, Freetown, Sierra Leone

To Nancy, Seattle, USA
What about lives lost in SO when georgia tried to retake it? Not everything in the world is money or oil my neighbour.

Alex, Toronto, Canada

How is Milliband proposing to rebalance the UK's energy dependency when Labour can't make up its mind about nuclear power stations? Also there is no stomach in Germany and France for a full-on confrontation with Russia. In the end the EU will go the way of the USSR.

colin houlding, Bury, UK

I have mixed feelings about the US Navy's decision not to dock at Poti. I rather liked the idea of the US Navy going nose to nose with the Russian troops illegally occupying the vital port of Poti. But we don't want a tit-for-tat escalation to get started. Russians out of Poti NOW!

Ross, Strathroy, Canada

Get back Milliband home. The UK does not need another war. Are we ready to take on the Russians. The rhetoric is getting warm/

Ashebir, leiden, the Netherlands

I wonder why UK is leading a coalition against Russia? What is a background here? I would assume Germany or France would take this role - both countries were fighting against us in the past ( Napoleon, Hitler) and may have bad memories about us. What am I missing about UK? Just asking.

Serge, Moscow, Russia

Maria, Saint-Petersburg, Russia: "brother nations..." Once in Poland someone asked: are the Russians the Poles' brothers or friends? Answer: brothers, of course - because you can choose your friends! Unfortunately the Russians don't seem to be willing to let their "brothers" to live their own lives.

Lauri, Kaarina, Finland

Pres. Medvedev has cost Russia billions of dollars for a tiny enclave called South Ossetia , population of 70K with NO economic value. The Russian stock market has declined 6%, the ruble has lost value and soon Russian citizens will feel the economic impact. Was it worth it for valueless enclave?

Nancy, Seattle, USA

Dear Dick,
You say that buffer zone is needed. But how about living there? Would you like to live in the country that is treated by others as a buffer zone? I would doubt that. Then, why do you think that Georgians are worse than you?

Ivars, Riga, Latvia

The western politician are drwowing in the sea of lies over the Russia's behaviour in recent conflict with Georgia. Biased and one sided coverage of events from the western Media has created lot more problems for the understanding of the roots of the conflict. Russia didn't start the fire after all.

Yuriy Ukolov, Moscow,

I would suggest that any Foreign Minister/Secretary be obliged to have made a detailed study of history - at post-graduate level - and to have had a minimum of 2o years experience in international affairs before being allowed anywhere near a level of responsibility for any international negotiations

Peter Davis, Mijas, Spain

The solution to this problem is to erase double standards. Accept Kosovo belongs to Serbia and S Ossetia to Georgia.
Simple for the non-polititians

simon, london, uk

Peter, Lviv, Ukraine

Shame on you, Peter.. We're all Slavic. We have so many in common: history, culture, religion, mentality. And where we are now? Brother nations throw mud at each other because of influence of corrupted politicans!

Crash your TV urgently -> it washes your brain...

Maria, Saint-Petersburg, Russia

Russia entered the conflict, neutralized the aggressor (Georgia), restored peace and security, pulled out most of troops but left some to maintain peace. All this in 16 days.
Now, lets look at US and NATO in Iraq and Afghanistan. How many years? How many lives?

George Tabacar, Brasov, Romania

Historically Russia has never let go of territories its military has gained control over without internal armed conflict or the threat of war from strong neighbours. Since the West will help Georgia with nothing but words, South Ossetia and Abkhazia are lost until the next fall of the Russian empire

Sander Heinsalu, New Haven, US

Who started the agression? What you know is just the finale, cause georgian "army" was smashed back in a few hours. Come to Russia and talk, instead of rebuilding the Antanta.

George, Moscow,

Mr Downs has clearly a long (and bitter?) memory. Obviously not a very accurate one though, as Britian at the time was playing the Russian role of occupier and the 'back door' was Ireland's own territory........

Eddie, Massachusetts, USA

Some of you guys still does not get the point. The difference is enormous between Kosovo and Ossetia. You might would understand Kremlin democracy by living as a Chechnian, or any of those hundreds of nations in Siberia..

brusi, Budapest, Hungary

Milliband's response to create a coalition against Russia is absolutely appropriate and necessary. Russia must be driven out of Georgia, with aggressive diplomacy and eventually force if necessary. Russia can not be allowed to annex any part of Georgia.

Robin Hittos, Victoria, BC, Canada

If Saakashvili had not invaded S Ossetia we would not be in this mess. Miliband is being lured into Saakashvili's trap, just as Blair was lured into that laid by exiled Iraquis. NATO/US cannot expand up to Russia, just as Moscow could not in the Cuban missile crisis. A buffer zone is needed.

Dick, Durham, UK

Notice how many Russians post in support of Russia, and how many Westerners post criticisms of the West. Now ask yourself which society is freer?

Peter, Lviv, Ukraine

I would love to have Medvedev and Milliband in a room and ask "So, what's the difference between Kosovo having a right to independence (or not), and South Ossetia having a right to independence (or not)?"

Trevor, Cambridge, UK

He's doing a Tony Blair. Dragging the British people into something highly comple that is none of their business and which they can have no effect on,for his own personal aggandisement.

Why can't British politicians simply do what the electorate want them to do and keep them out of trouble?

Tony Ash, Hua-Hin, Thailand

So the Russians may now do to the Georgians what the Isrealis and Americans have been quite content to do to the Palastinians for decades. The only difference is that suddenly its seen as obscene and unjust.
The leaders of the western countries are pathetic hypocrites.

john, buenos aires,

When the USSR fragmented the borders of Russia MAY not have been quite appropriate. If there are significant numbers of Russian citizens left in bordering countries reasoned ajustments might be made, but these should be a matter for statesman like negociations, not force.

Keith, Hastings, UK

What does 006 and a half think he's doing?

James, Newcastle,

Mr Perman - don't suggest that of our lovely Irish neighbours - remember that they have tried to do this previously in WW1 - albeit with a different foe that they were going to let in through the back door....

peter downs , nottingham , england

Never mind this talk of double standards. The West is relatively benign. Russia is effectively not. If you disagree, go and see. Take a picnic, stay as long as you like.
Fact is Russia needs another slap. Let's just get on with it.

Bob, Liverpool, England

To Michael Perman

If the Russians asked the Irish to join the Warsaw pact, it would not have been pretty.

Enzo, Brooklyn, NY, USA

Miliband vs. Putin ? It's a little like putting Doris Day up against Alice Cooper !

Toolan, Lincoln, UK

Abkhazia and South Ossetia BAD. Kosovo GOOD. Complete and Utter Hypocracy. Still' hypocracy or not, I'm old enough to remember Czechoslovakia in 68 as I was there. No pretext required then, or now.

Lucas Tatek, Herts., uk

So its OK for the West to invade sovereign contries in the middle east, and to declare Kosovo independent from serbia. Its not OK for russia to declare South Ossetia independent. The Hypocrisy of Miliband is gut wrenching, he is almost as pathetic as Blair.

james, Falkirk, UK

In visiting Ukraine and meddling in its relationship with Russia he shows a complete lack of understanding of the region and risks making an already dangerous situation even worse.

George, Weston-super-Mare, England

David Miliband should stop embarrassing himself and our once proud country.

stephen, glasgow, uk

Milliband's naivety shows he is not ready for such an office as Foreign Sec. let alone PM. There is one principle in conducting foreign policy, has the British interset been seriously harmed? No.
So Georgia should have our support short of fighting.It's rashness shows it is not ready for NATO.

R G James, Brasschaat, Belgium

Milliband, please come home and shut up!!!

Steve, London,

It is time the boy Milliband graduated to wearing political long trousers and realised that people in this country don't see the justification for picking a fight we cannot win and where we don't occupy the moral high ground anyway.

Michael Perman, London, UK

And how I wonder would the UK have responded if the Republic of Ireland had asked to join the warsaw pact and offered to station Russian missiles on its territory ?

Michael Perman, London, UK

Milliband would not scare a bunch of school girls.
He could not even look after his electorate properly and this clown has been put in charge of foriegn affairs... What a joke of a government. I wonder if Milliband helped veto the russian resolution in the UN to resolve this problem peacefully.

Darren, London, UK

yeh yeh yeh and my dads bigger than your dad. All this silly posturing doesn't do anybody any good...and that goes for both sides. Time to start thinking and not mouthing. Common sense needs to prevail here.

kirk, Rotherham, UK

OMG ! Milliband to the rescue ! Just hope he doesn't re-enact the charge of the light brigade !

What is good for Kosovo should be good for South Ossetia and Abkhazia. I personally would not shed my blood to bail Saakashvili out of his rash attack on South Ossetia.

Luis, London, UK

The Russians are really going to care what some flappy school boy thinks. Miliband is only going to poor more fuel on the fire, when in reality everybody needs to take a deep breath. Get back in your box Miliband and leave it for the big boys who actually have an impact on international affairs.

Chris , London , UK

Businessmen working with Russia should take heed of the risk they are running in addition to the reward they are receiving by doing so.

Tom, London,

Yes, there's nothing like cranking it up, just for the hell of it. Must be time to stock up the bunker.

E J Murray, Kerry, Ireland

Mister Milband forgot Kosovo and other countries where the West has killed thousands of people and devastated the regions. And how can he now having all these charge Russia? Weren’t these West and Georgia who ventured to inflame Caucasus conflict? Don’t play foul games and don’t use double standards

Vitaly, yalta, ukrain

A country that makes war where this is avoidable, which does not adhere to agreements, and which assasinates citizens of other countries and its own citizens who express dissent is a threat to world peace. We should do all that we can to show them that they must not act in this manner.

Gerard, London, Uk

Stop drawing parrallel's with Kosovo. Personally I was against the recognition of Kosovo but putting that aside, its still not the same thing. Serbians were reasponsilbe for genocide of the Albanians. I dont recall Georgia committing genocide against Ossetia.

Maciej Skiba, Chicago, USA

UK is great country with greatest history. it's very sad to see your administration as US puppy!

Kamil, Chelaybinsk, Russia

Richard Hoblyn FSI

He's 43.
Alexander the Great was 27 when he ran the world.
Miliband doesn't come close to such greatness but you can't judge leadership on age alone.
He's louder than that mouse Brown at any rate and that counts for something in my book.

Phill, The Wirral, England

GET LABOUR OUT, they have been and will be our downfall.

Selina, Wantage,

Miliband is talking nonsense & he knows it. He is making the situation worse by his empty talk. How on earth did he become foreign secretary??

Heath, Surrey, UK

Fernando if thats your thinking then maybe the basque sepertists(ETA) should also be granted there own country. Serbs committed genocide in Kosovo. Georgia didn't comit genocide in Ossetia thats the differance. Those who dont see the differance your IQ must be low. Plz people use your brains.

Maciej Skiba, Chicago, USA

I bet the Russians are quaking in their boots. Labour throw their weight around in this country with their George Orwell 1984 style of government, but unfortunately for them, they hold no clout on the International stage. They don't represent me and I just hope they don't end up killing us all.

Richard, Ivybridge, UK

Back to your cage Miliband. And on your way back remember to take our troops from Afghanistan and Iraq with you. How many failed campaigns can the UK economy survive? And can someone stop Saakashvili using the EU flag behind every public address he makes?

Thomas, London, UK

Difference with Kosovo was that there was actual evidence of ethnic cleansing there. Only source of that in Abkhazia and South Ossetia is Russian 'state' television.

Ash, Sheffield,

Sir,

Can anyone explain to me why Kosovo was a "Special Case?"

Richard, Belgrade.

Richard sixsmith, Belgrade, Serbia

Did Russia attack Georgia or was it Georgia who launched a military attack on S. Ossetia first? This should be clearly explained to western public opinion before Mr. Milliband can talk of "aggression" with any credility.

Charles Gomez, Gibraltar,

Delicate and clever diplomacy is required..so we send Miliband. WW3 here we come!

Glenn, Maidstone, UK

Mr Mliband you fight your own wars we don't support you neither will we fight for you.

Hugh Dickinson, hobart,

Miliband is a schoolboy. Can somone please ask him to wear gloves? This whole situation is ridiculous. UK needs leadership and GB & the schoolboy are discrediting businessmen working with Russia.

Richard Hoblyn FSI, in Volgograd, Southern Russia & City of London

Poor David is trying to save the dying Labour party and raise his chances to become leader of a dying party thats suppose to be a party belonging to the left and it has become more right than the conservatives. Poor new Labour it has destroyed the UK economy with the debt bubble calling it growth

Nicholas, LARNACA, CYPRUS

In the Mededev's words , if it has to be a cold war so be it.

IN Europe we will be worse off as we need oil and gas, but if we stop driving so much and putting the money in developing alternative energy cars then who cares. Russia will find some willing customers India, China They all have money.

Anthony L, Chelmsford, UK

Why Kosovo deserves independence and Osetia and Abjazia dont?

Fernando Aldana, Barcelona, Spain

"David Miliband is expected to deploy his fiercest rhetoric"

Russia must be quaking in its boots. What a joke!

Helen Back, Leeds,

its not who is richer is right ,who is richer might as well be wrong

mao tao, shanghai, china

Is this posturing for domestic consumption. Another leader wannabe. Really with all this testosterone in the air, we really need Victoria Stilwell to assess the situation. Should they keep their lunch boxes or not? Perhaps a Times Readers vote?

Stephen Pain, Odense, Denmark

Miliband's fiercest rhetoric! I bet that is as worrisome to the Russians as it was to the big kids when he was at school. I see his war face in the picture above. Hmmm. Q: How does a Georgian attack on S.O. become inverted to proof of Russian aggression? A: Through the lens of the press.

Steve, London, UK

The double standards and arrogance of the US and the western leaders is amazing. They recognise the independence of Kosovo, supported by NATO troops and ignoring the territorial integrity of Serbia and the objections of the Russians and then complain when Russia does the same in Georgia.

Neil Anderson, Amsterdam, Netherlands

get Miliband out

Mark, Wycombe, ENGLAND