article_snippet: Russia is under continued pressure from the West to end Russia support for the separatists.
article_snippet: Moscow denies claims by Kiev and the West that Moscow has trained and equipped the rebels, as well as sending Russian troops to fight alongside the rebels.
article_snippet: In what Kremlin observers may see as another sign of defiance, Russia signed a treaty Wednesday with Georgia's breakaway territory of South Ossetia.
article_snippet: Russia sent Russia tanks into Georgia in 2008 and subsequently encouraged separatists in Russia South Ossetia and Abkhazia regions to declare independence from Tbilisi.
article_snippet: NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg condemned the "so-called treaty on alliance and integration" in a statement Wednesday, and repeated NATO's call for Russia to reverse Russia recognition of the territories as independent states and to withdraw Russia forces from Georgian soil.
article_snippet: This so-called treaty is yet another move by Russia that hampers ongoing efforts by the international community to strengthen security and stability in the region," NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said.
article_snippet: Russia violates Georgia's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and blatantly contradicts the principles of international law, OSCE principles and Russia's international commitments.
article_snippet: Russia does not contribute to a peaceful and lasting settlement of the situation in Georgia.
highlights_snippet: Russia signs a treaty with Georgia's breakaway South Ossetia region .