Russia faces Western pressure over Georgia

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"The Russian Federation's actions are an attempt to militarily annex a sovereign nation - the nation of Georgia," he said in a statement. "This a challenge to the entire world. Not just Georgia."

In an interview later with Reuters, he said: "The point here is the Russians are bluffing and they're overplaying their hand."

But he added that Europe was in "mortal danger" from its reliance on Russian energy and Georgia could further develop its role as a transit state to help reduce that dependence.

British Foreign Secretary David Miliband was due in Kiev to meet the leadership of Ukraine, home to a large Russian-speaking population and a major Russian naval base.

"I am holding talks today with international partners and will be visiting Ukraine ... to ensure the widest possible coalition against Russian aggression in Georgia," Miliband said on Tuesday.

Ukraine, like Georgia, has angered Moscow by actively seeking membership of NATO.

But divisions within the pro-Western camp there may complicate Miliband's mission.

President Viktor Yushchenko believes Ukraine should enter NATO and the European Union but Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko has grown cool towards NATO membership, which is unpopular with voters.

The West could exclude Russia from some top world bodies but its ability to punish Moscow is limited given Russia's veto in the U.N. Security Council. The West also needs Moscow's support over Iran's nuclear programme and supply routes for NATO forces in Afghanistan.

The United States appeared to pull back from the prospect of an immediate confrontation with Russia, cancelling the delivery of relief supplies by U.S. warships to Poti, a busy Georgia cargo port still patrolled by Russian forces.

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