Russian President Dmitry Medvedev ordered a halt to military operations in Georgia yesterday, saying Moscow had achieved its objectives by punishing Tbilisi.

Just before meeting French President Nicolas Sarkozy for peace talks at the Kremlin, Medvedev issued instructions to Defense Minister Anatoly Serdyukov to "stop the operation to force Georgian authorities to peace".

"The aim of the operation has been achieved," Medvedev said in televized remarks. "... The aggressor has been punished and has suffered very considerable losses."