Russian President Dimitry Medvedev ordered his troops in Georgia to stand down, according to a statement issued on his behalf on Tuesday by a spokesman for the Kremlin.
"I have taken the decision to bring to an end the operation to force the Georgian authorities to peace," said Medvedev in the statement. The move comes one day after a terse demand by US President George W. Bush that Russia pull its troops out of George. In a televised speech on Monday, Bush said, "Russia has invaded a sovereign neighboring state and threatens a democratic government elected by its people. Such an action is unacceptable in the 21st century... These actions jeopardize Russia's relations with the United States and Europe. It's time for Russia to be true to its word to act to end this crisis."
French President Nicolas Sarkozy headed to Moscow on Tuesday morning representing the European Union in brokering ceasefire negotiations between Russia and Georgia.