Russia has lashed out at the United States for sending a navy flagship to a key Georgian port, which has been patrolled by Russian troops.

Europe Correspondent Emma Alberici reports Russia announced that it had received support from a group of former soviet states calling themselves the Collective Security Treaty Organisation.

At the same time, United States Vice President Dick Cheney wrapped up a tour of America's allies in the region. And in a sign that tensions are rising, the Kremlin challenged Washington on why it had chosen one of its most sophisticated warships to transport aid to the Black Sea port of Poti.

Meanwhile, European Union foreign ministers travelled from Paris to Avignon aboard a special high-speed train decked out in European colours in a show of unity over the Georgia crisis.

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