President Medvedev: "I signed the decree recognizing the independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia"

Following the meeting of the Security Council, President Medvedev appeared live on TV making the following statement:

“We respect the free will of the South Ossetian and Abkhazian people, and basing our actions on international regulations and documents I signed a decree recognizing the independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia. Russia urges other countries to follow our example. This is a difficult choice, but the only possible one to preserve the lives of people". (Komsomolskaya Pravda)

Read it also on RT "Medvedev backs independence for Abkhazia and South Ossetia" (Link)