The White House strongly criticized Russia on Tuesday for so-called "provocative actions" in the dispute between Georgia and its breakaway region of Abkhazia.

"We again call on the Russian government to reiterate its commitment to Georgia's territorial integrity and sovereignty, to reverse its unilateral measures in Abkhazia and South Ossetia and to cease from further provocations," White House spokeswoman Dana Perino said.

"These steps have significantly and unnecessarily heightened tensions in the region and run counter to Russia's status as a 'facilitator' of the UN Friends process on Abkhazia," Perino said.

"In contacts with both the Russian and Georgian governments at the highest levels, the United States has firmly reiterated our support for Georgia's territorial integrity and strongly urged Russia to deescalate and reverse its measures."

The White House made the strong-worded statement a day after Georgia announced it would withdraw from an agreement on air defense cooperation with Russia.

In recent weeks, tension between Georgia and Russia has escalated against the backdrop of Russia's increasing support to Georgia's breakaway republic of Abkhazia, and Tbilisi's bid for NATO membership.

Georgia has warned Russia not to increase its peacekeeping force in the conflict zones, otherwise it would view the move as an aggression.

The United States pledged to support the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Georgia, stressing "No state should be taking actions that would violate that."

(Xinhua News Agency May 7, 2008)