Sources in the Swiss Foreign Affairs Department told the Russian news agency the Swiss have approved Russia's request that it represent Moscow's interests in Georgia.

Diplomatic relations between Russia and Georgia were stressed beyond the breaking point in August when Georgian forces entered its restive state of South Ossetia, triggering Russia's decision to send its troops into the region. The two countries have since broken off diplomatic relations and Russia has declared South Ossetia and another Georgian state, Abkhazia, to be independent republics, an action that has been met with little support from other countries.

Russia made its official request to Switzerland asking that it act as its intermediary in Georgia last week.