Russia warns Georgia, Ukraine on NATO

MOSCOW, June 7 (UPI) -- Admitting Georgia to NATO would increase tensions with Russia, the Russian foreign minister warned Friday.

Sergei Lavrov's statement followed a meeting between Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili, the Novosti news agency reported.

"If Georgia believes its entry to NATO will help resolve conflicts with Abkhazia and South Ossetia, it is mistaken -- this will trigger new bloodshed," Lavrov said.

Also Friday, Medvedev warned Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko against joining NATO, Lavrov said.

The two leaders met to discuss whether Russian naval vessels can continue to use Ukrainian ports on the Black Sea.

Russia has a lease that runs through 2017, but Ukraine is considering terminating the agreement.