Russia has reacted to the 3.5 billion euro aid pledge to Georgia from various donors on October 22 with a propaganda offensive urging that Tbilisi not be allowed to use the money to re-arm.

The European Union, United States and other international donors pledged the sum at a donors' conference in return for promises of democratic reforms. The event was a sequel to the Russian invasion of Georgian territory in August 2008 over conflict about the would-be breakaway territory of South Ossetia.

The EU pledged 863 million euro, the US $1 billion, and the International Monetary Fund $750 million.

European External Relations Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner said that the funding should meet three key aims: rebuilding strategic infrastructure including energy facilities, boosting investment and providing food and shelter to those in need.

An October 23 report by Russian news agency RIA Novosti said that Moscow hoped that countries pledging funds to rebuild Georgia would ensure that the aid would not spent on rearmament.

The agency quoted a source in the Russian foreign ministry as saying "it is important not to allow a new round of militarisation by Tbilisi's regime and a repeat of the August tragedy in the Caucasus…Moscow hopes that donor countries and organisations will establish effective controls over the use of financial aid and material resources allocated to Georgia".

Russian news agency ITAR-TASS reported on October 22 that the EU excluded the possibility that Georgia could use the donor aid for military needs.

The agency quoted EC representative Christian Homan as saying: "We have a mechanism to control the spending of European funding. Spending this money on military needs is excluded".