Russia Agrees to Withdrawal Plan

The Russian and French presidents negotiated conditions today for ending fighting in Georgia, endorsing a plan that calls for both Russian and Georgian troops to move back to their initial positions. The plan endorsed by Dmitry Medvedev and Nicolas Sarkozy calls on Russia and Georgia to end all hostilities and allow free access for humanitarian assistance.

It also promised a fuller discussion on the future status of Georgia's two breakaway provinces, South Ossetia and Abkhazia. Both want to leave Georgia and become a part of Russia. Medvedev said that the breakaway provinces must be able to decide on their own whether to remain in Georgia and that Russian peacekeepers will remain in the two areas.