Russia not to consult West on troops in South Ossetia : Putin

Moscow, Sep 22 (UNI) Prime Minister Vladimir Putin has said Russia will not consult the West and Georgia on the number of troops to be deployed in Georgia's breakaway regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia.

''As you know, we recognised South Ossetia's and Abkhazia's independence in the same way as many European countries recognised Kosovo's independence,'' Putin told the Russian TV.

''The question of the presence of our armed forces on these territories will be agreed on bilateral basis, in line with international law and on the basis of agreements between Russia and the states in question,'' he added.

Russia has already announced plans to keep about 8,000 troops in the regions - far more than were previously there.

Russia recognised South Ossetia's and Abkhazia's independence on August 26.

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