Russia's president signed decrees on Tuesday recognizing South Ossetia and Abkhazia as independent states and called on other countries to follow suit.

"This is not an easy decision, but it is the only way to protect people's lives,"Dmitry Medvedev said in a televised address.

Both houses of Russia's parliament voted unanimously on Monday on a resolution asking the Russian president to recognize the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, following requests from the leaders of both republics.

Natpress