The Bush administration Tuesday sharply criticized Russia for what it called a series of "provocative actions" in the dispute between the former Soviet republic of Georgia and its breakaway region of Abkhazia, AP reported.
Russia's moves that came under fire included what the White House press secretary, Dana Perino, said was Moscow's downing of an unmanned, unarmed Georgian spy plane in Georgian air space.
Russia, a longtime backer of Abkhazia and its ambitions for recognition as an independent state, also has bolstered its peacekeeping forces along the administrative border separating Georgia and Abkhazia.
Moscow also unilaterally withdrew from trade and military sanctions that were imposed on Abkhazia by a grouping of former Soviet republics that includes both Russia and Georgia.
"These steps have significantly and unnecessarily heightened tensions in the region," Perino said.