Russia for more observers in Georgia

MOSCOW (AFP) - Russia called Saturday for more international observers to be sent to Georgia, two days before a European Union summit that Tbilisi hopes will decide on measures to punish the Russian leadership.

The appeal for stronger European monitoring in Georgia came as Prime Minister Vladimir Putin urged EU leaders to show "common sense" at the summit on Monday and ignore calls for sanctions against Russia.

Leaders of the 27-nation EU are to agree on a response to Russia's military surge into Georgia and decision to recognise the independence of two secessionist regions.

Georgia called for sanctions on Russian leaders after breaking off diplomatic relations with Moscow to protest the decision to recognise South Ossetia and Abkhazia.