Both presidential candidates spoke to Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili (CNN) over the weekend. In a statement, Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) on Sunday called on Russia to “immediately and unconditionally” withdraw military forces from Georgian territory. He said the United States should immediately convene a session of the North Atlantic Council “to assess Georgia’s security and review measures NATO can take to contribute to stabilizing this very dangerous situation.”

Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL) on Saturday also condemned Russia’s aggression toward Georgia and called for an immediate ceasefire.

Both candidates stressed the need for an international peacekeeping force in South Ossetia. Obama said such a force is also needed in Abkhazia.