“Annexation” is not a word heard frequently in the Russia debate, but it surfaced this week after Moscow established official relations with the separatist states of South Ossetia and Abkhazia – a move they had threatened to make if the West recognized Kosovo statehood (which they did). The former prime minister of Estonia, Mart Laar, has a column about the issue coming out in tomorrow’s FT. Here’s an excerpt:

Russia’s “representations” will be less than official consulates, although consular services will be offered from offices in neighbouring bits of Russia. “Representation” is a euphemism to soothe western fears that Moscow may recognise the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia in tit-for-tat retaliation for western recognition of Kosovo. However, in Moscow’s insidious gambit, the “representations” will be among the final steps toward annexation of the two Georgian territories.