Canada-Russia-U.S. War Games Fizzle Out Over Georgia War

Fredericton, New Brunswick (AHN) - Canada announced Thursday its withdrawal from a planned military exercise with Russia to protest Moscow's war with Georgia following a similar action by the U.S. on Tuesday.

"As a result of recent events in Georgia we have formally taken a decision not to do that, not to participate in an operation that was known as Vigilant Eagle, which would have involved Canadian, American and Russian forces," Defense Minister Peter MacKay was quoted as saying by Canada.com. The exercise was scheduled to begin Aug. 20.

A senior U.S. defense official, who declined to be identified, told Agence France-Presse Tuesday that the Aug. 15-23 FRUKUS naval war games with Russia and Britain in the Sea of Japan "have been scrapped."