September 9, 2008 - 19:01 AMT
Russia established diplomatic relations with Abkhazia and South Ossetia
Russia has officially established diplomatic relations with Abkhazia and South Ossetia.

"We exchanged notes on establishment of diplomatic relations," Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told a news conference after talks with his counterparts Murat Dzhioyev (South Ossetia) and Sergei Shamba (Abkhazia), Vesti reports.