VLADIKAVKAZ. Aug 10 (Interfax-AVN) - Russia's peace enforcement operation against Georgia has not complicated its relations with other countries, because they understand that Russia was right in doing so, said President Dmitry Medvedev.
"The peace enforcement operation against Georgia ultimately has not complicated our relations with other countries of the international community for a simple reason: no matter who says what, everybody in fact understands that the truth is on our side," Medvedev said at a medal awarding ceremony for the actions of military servicemen during the August 2008 conflict, which took place in Vladikavkaz on Saturday.
"Russia is right both in legal and moral terms," Medvedev said.
He thanked "our foreign partners, who actively provided assistance in taming the Tbilisi adventurers," he said.
"Georgia unleashed aggression against the civilian population of South Ossetia and Russian peacekeepers, which means against Russia itself. This conclusion directly follows the essence of Article 51 of the UN Charter and its General Assembly special resolution of 1974, which defines what aggression is," Medvedev said.
"It fully complies with the situation that was in South Ossetia last August, when Georgia treacherously attacked the peacekeeping contingent and the civilian population," Medvedev said.
"I would like all those present here to understand a simple thing: You acted absolutely legitimately in countering aggression against citizens of our country," Medvedev said addressing the servicemen of the 53rd Army.
"I am sure that those who armed and will unfortunately continue to arm the Tbilisi regime are also perfectly aware of this," Medvedev said.