RUSSIAN AND US warships were engaged in a Black Sea stand-off last night, amid western warnings that the conflict in Georgia could destabilise other parts of Moscow's old empire.

A US coast guard cutter carrying aid docked at the Georgian port of Batumi after bypassing the Russian-controlled port of Poti. Two other US navy vessels were offshore in the Black Sea. Meanwhile, 250km (155 miles) north, Russian warships landed in the separatist region of Abkhazia.

The Black Sea has become a potential flashpoint since Russian forces crushed a Georgian attempt to reclaim the breakaway province of South Ossetia and took control of swathes of Tbilisi's territory, including the port of Poti.

Russia recognised the independence of both South Ossetia and Abkhazia on Tuesday; accused Nato of massing naval forces in the Black Sea; and said a US destroyer that landed at Batumi earlier this week was supplying new weapons to Georgia under the cover of aid.

"Normally battleships do not deliver aid and this is battleship diplomacy, this does not make the situation more stable," said Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov.

Originally posted by TheEnlightenedOne


I am not sure what to make of this, first sounded like the U.S. was actually helping Georgia with the aid they needed, as food and the like (according to other sources).

After reading the above source, it actually makes a bit of sense, why would a destroyer (Arleigh Burke Type) bring "AID" to Georgia? Wouldn't be better to send a supply ship or some sort?

What is the U.S. up to with this type of negotiation? What are they trying to accomplish? Are they instigating Russia so that they can the U.S. can then join-in in the action?

Sounds Fishy to me!

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