In 2007, Russian [[President Vladimir Putin]] issued a strong warning against further NATO enlargement. But in 2008, under U.S. pressure, NATO offered membership to the [[Republic of Georgia]] and [[Ukraine]], both former constituent states of the Soviet Union bordering the [[Russian Federation]]. An emboldened Georgia then challenged Russian influence in minority regions on its Russian border. The result was the first [[Europe]]an [[war]] of the 21st century, which ended in the Russian-aided secession of both [[South Ossetia]] and [[Abkhazia]] from Georgia and Russian establishment of suzerainty there. | In 2007, Russian [[President Vladimir Putin]] issued a strong warning against further NATO enlargement. But in 2008, under U.S. pressure, NATO offered membership to the [[Republic of Georgia]] and [[Ukraine]], both former constituent states of the Soviet Union bordering the [[Russian Federation]]. An emboldened Georgia then challenged Russian influence in minority regions on its Russian border. The result was the first [[Europe]]an [[war]] of the 21st century, which ended in the Russian-aided secession of both [[South Ossetia]] and [[Abkhazia]] from Georgia and Russian establishment of suzerainty there. |