The stalemate between Russia and Georgia over the territory of South Ossetia, within the Georgian boundary, but linguistically and culturally more in tune with Russia, has been a "frozen conflict" since a peace agreement ended the last hostilities in 1991. As the icy stand-off has melted into a bloodbath it is clear that the international community is faced with a diplomatic minefield. Hostility between Russia and Georgia stretches back centuries, but the UN Security Council, the EU, Nato and the Organisation of Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) must also find a way through the Cold War legacy of mutual antagonism and endemic suspicion between Russia and the US. This was evident enough in yesterday's undiplomatic opening exchanges in which Russia accused the UN of bias towards Georgia and the US accused Russia of resisting the ceasefire.
The stalemate between Russia and Georgia over the territory of South Ossetia, within the Georgian boundary, but linguistically and culturally more in tune with Russia, has been a "frozen conflict" since a peace agreement ended the last hostilities in 1991.
