Bush: Russian attacks against Georgia ‘unacceptable’

President Bush on Monday used his strongest language yet in condemning Russia for its expanded attack on Georgia.

Bush, who had just returned from China, said in a Rose Garden statement that Russia “has invaded a sovereign neighboring state and threatens a democratic government elected by its people.”

{mosads}“Such an action is unacceptable in the 21st century,” he added.

Bush said that Russia’s expanded attack indicates an effort by the Russians to depose the Georgian government, and he called on Russia to accept the peace agreement put forth by the Georgians and engage in an immediate cease-fire.

“Russia’s government must respect Georgia’s territorial integrity and sovereignty,” Bush said. “The Russian government must reverse the course it appears to be on and accept this peace agreement as a first step toward resolving this conflict.”

Moments before Bush’s statement, Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama also ratcheted up his language on the conflict, saying that Russia has invaded another country and “there is no possible justification for these attacks.”

Obama’s language Monday was tougher than what he has previously said.

“I reiterate my call for Russia to stop its bombing campaign, to stop flights of Russian aircraft in Georgian airspace, and to withdraw its ground forces from Georgia,” the Illinois senator, on vacation in Hawaii, said in a statement. “The Georgian government has proposed a cease-fire and the Russian government should accept it.”