Russian Pull-Out

Despite having recognized the independence of Georgia's two breakaway provinces, Russia stil plans to implement an agreed five-point peace plan, Medvedev told Merkel on Wednesday morning, Aug. 27.

"Medvedev gave exhaustive explanations to Merkel's questions and confirmed Russia's commitment to the agreed principles," the Kremlin said in a statement, as reported by Reuters news agency.

Merkel initiated the telephone conversation, said the Kremlin, though there was no immediate comment from Berlin on the exchange.

Disputed buffer zone

The five-point ceasefire arrangement, brokered by French President Nicolas Sarkozy, calls for the withdrawal of troops from the disputed territory. However, it allows Russia to impose unspecified security measures.

Russia's continued military presence in the region has drawn criticism that it is violating the ceasefire. According to its interpretation of the peace agreement, Russia has installed a buffer zone outside the separatist territories, South Ossetia and Abkhazia, which Georgia has protested.

The extent of Russia's presence in the Caucasus region was to be discussed in international mediation.

The Russian military intervened in the region on Aug. 8, after Georgia attempted to retake South Ossetia by force. Five days of fighting ensued.