A statement from the Swedish EU presidency said Medvedev’s visit on Monday was made without the consent of the Georgian government.

“The EU considers this visit as incompatible with the principle of territorial integrity and is concerned about its effects on the international efforts to stabilize the region,” the statement said.

“The EU reiterates its support for Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity,” it said.

A day after making the surprise trip to South Ossetia, where the Russian army repelled Georgia in a five-day war last August, Medvedev strongly hinted Russia would again respond militarily if Georgia tried to retake the territory or rebel province Abkhazia.

Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili has denounced the visit to South Ossetia as “shameful” and linked it to a deal signed that day in Turkey for the Nabucco pipeline, a new gas supply route to Europe that bypasses Russia.