Brown Wants NATO, EU To Rethink Relations With Russia Over 'Aggression'

London, England (AHN) - British Prime Minister Gordon Brown on Sunday called on NATO and the European Union to rethink their relations with Russia to prevent more "aggression" following the brief but brutal conflict with neighboring Georgia, a staunch Western ally.

In his comments, released amid fears Moscow could cut oil and gas flows into Europe, Brown suggests to the EU that it do a "root and branch" reassessment of the region's relations with the Kremlin.

Earlier, American President George W. Bush described as "irresponsible," Russia's decision to recognize Abkhazia and South Ossetia, two breakaway provinces in Georgia. Bush said the decision only "exacerbates tensions and complicates diplomatic negotiations."

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has signed decrees recognizing the independence of the breakaway regions.

Brown's comment also came a day ahead of a European summit to discuss the crisis in South Ossetia.

The fighting began when Georgian forces launched an offensive against the Russian-backed breakaway South Ossetia on Aug. 7. Russia immediately counter-attacked and repulsed the Georgian forces.

Brown said in the Sunday Observer newspaper, "When Russia has a grievance over an issue such as South Ossetia, it should act multilaterally by consent rather than unilaterally by force."

"My message to Russia is simple. If you want to be welcome at the top table of organizations such as the G8, OECD and WTO, you must accept that with rights come responsibilities. We want Russia to be a good partner in the G8 and other organizations, but it cannot pick and choose which rules to adhere to," he added.