U.S. warns Russia of consequences over Georgia

By Andrew Gray

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States on Thursday accused Russia of using military action to punish Georgia for being a Western ally and said Moscow could face serious consequences for years to come.

Defense Secretary Robert Gates ruled out using U.S. military force in Georgia, but said the Pentagon would review all aspects of its relations with Russia's military.

Gates, the most experienced Russia expert in the top ranks of the Bush administration, said Moscow's actions had "profound implications for our security relationship going forward, both bilaterally and with NATO."

"If Russia does not step back from its aggressive posture and actions in Georgia, the U.S.-Russian relationship could be adversely affected for years to come," Gates, a former CIA director and Soviet expert at the intelligence agency, told reporters at the Pentagon.

"My personal view is that there need to be some consequences for the actions that Russia has taken against a sovereign state."

He did not specify consequences but said other countries would now look at Russia "through a different set of lenses."

Fighting between Russian and Georgian forces began last week after Georgia tried to regain control of the pro-Russian separatist province of South Ossetia and Russia launched a massive counter-offensive.

Both sides have agreed to a French-brokered cease-fire. Russian troops remain in Georgia but the Pentagon said it appeared they were withdrawing toward South Ossetia and Abkhazia, another pro-Russian breakaway region.