A top Georgian official says President Mikhail Saakashvili will boycott the upcoming World War II ceremonies in Moscow because of an unresolved matter with Russia.
Georgian Foreign Minister Salome Zurabishvili said the decision comes because no progress was made in talks Friday on Russia withdrawing from two Soviet-era bases in Georgia.
Ms. Zurabishvili made the announcement in Moscow after talks with her Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov. President Saakashvili is also to skip a meeting in Moscow Sunday of leaders of former Soviet states.
Russia had said previously it would take at least four years to complete the withdrawal from Georgia. Georgia has called for a speedier pullout.
President Bush, who is to meet in Georgia Tuesday with Mr. Saakashvili, has expressed support for Georgia's efforts to resolve the issue.
Some information for this story provided by AP and Reuters.
