CHRONOLOGY: Key events in Georgia since the war with Russia

Jul 28, 2009, 5:06 GMT

The major events in Georgia in the immediate run-up to and since the war with Russia: <#> July 2008: Tensions along de facto Georgian-South Ossetian border flare up. Russian and Georgian troops start amassing near borders with South Ossetia.

August 7: Georgian troops cross the border. Russia claims several of its peacekeepers in South Ossetia were killed.

August 8: Russia sends more troops into South Ossetia, begins bombing inside Georgian territory. Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili orders full military mobilization.

August 8-11: Russia and separatist militias in the autonomous areas advance, controlling Abkhazia and South Ossetia and gaining ground in Georgia.

August 12: Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and French President Nicolas Sarkozy, holding the rotating presidency of the European Union, agree on a ceasefire, including Moscow's pledge to withdraw forces to pre-conflict lines. Georgia agrees to deal.

August 14: Leaders of South Ossetia and Abkhazia sign ceasefire deal, via Moscow.

August 26: Russia recognizes South Ossetia and Abkhazia as independent states, in a move condemned across the globe. To date, only Nicaragua has joined in recognition.

August 29: Tbilisi cuts ties with Moscow.

September 9: Georgia's opposition makes first demand for ousting of Saakashvili.

September 15: EU approves observation mission to Georgia.

October 1: First EU monitors arrive in buffer zone around South Ossetia for the start of year-long mission.

October 27: A former Saakashvili ally, Nino Burjanadze, launches new opposition party, calling for early elections. On the same day, Saakashvili dismisses Prime Minister Lado Gurgenidze.

November 2: Grigol Mgaloblishvili becomes Georgia's prime minister. In January, he resigns on health grounds. He is one of several key ministers to come and go in the months following the war.

November 15: First direct Russia-Georgia talks see both sides accuse the other of walking out in Geneva.

November 19: Second round of Geneva talks.

December 17-18: Third round of Geneva talks.

January 30, 2009: Nika Gilauri nominated as new prime minister.

February 17-18: Fourth round of Geneva talks.

April 9: Tens of thousands take to the streets of Tbilisi, calling for Saakashvili's resignation. Demonstrations continue daily throughout April and much of May. Protesters block the avenue in front of Parliament for next three months.

May 5: Coup attempt allegedly quashed in Tbilisi, as Georgian authorities say an army mutiny at Mukhrovani army base has been thwarted.

May 6-31: NATO holds training for Georgian troops.

May 7: More than 30 injured as police stop an attempt by government critics to storm Tbilisi police headquarters. Several more people are reported injured in coming weeks, in police clashes with anti-government protesters.

May 13: Russia vetoes plans to keep in monitors in Georgia from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe.

May 18-19: Fifth round of Geneva talks. South Ossetia, Abkhazia and Russia skip first day of negotiations.

June 15: Russia vetoes a UN resolution authorizing the continued presence of nearly 150 UN peacekeepers in Georgia.

June 21: An explosion near the administrative border to Abkhazia kills the Georgian driver of a medical aid vehicle accompanying EU monitors.

June 27: NATO and Russia agree to new era of cooperation on security issues.

June 29: Russia starts week-long major military exercises in North Caucasus.

July 1: Sixth round of Geneva talks. The next round of negotiations is scheduled for September 17.

July 13: Medvedev makes 'surprise' trip to South Ossetia, pledges military aid.

July 16: Georgia's former representative to the United Nations, Irakli Alasania, launches new opposition party calling for democratic reforms.

July 22-23: US Vice President Joe Biden visits Georgia, pledges to support Georgian territorial integrity and growth of democracy.

July 27: EU foreign ministers agree to allow EU ceasefire monitors to stay in Georgia until at least September 2010. <#>