Obama calls on Russia to withdraw from Georgia

US presidential candidate Barack Obama today said it is “past time” for Russia to withdraw from Georgia.

Mr Obama declared tonight from his Hawaiian holiday that “it is past time for the Russian government to immediately sign and implement a ceasefire. Russia must halt its violation of Georgian airspace and withdraw its ground forces from Georgia, with international monitors to verify that these obligations are met”.

Both Mr Obama and Republican opponent John McCain have joined in severely scolding the Kremlin for invading Georgia, but only Mr Obama has seen room to criticise both sides.

He noted yesterday: “Georgia should refrain from using force in South Ossetia and Abkhazia, and a political settlement must be reached that addresses the status of these disputed regions.”