Russian President Dmitry Medvedev signed a truce with Georgia on Saturday, a definitive step toward ending the fighting there despite the uncertainty on the ground reflected by Russian soldiers digging in just 30 miles from the Georgian capital.

Medvedev spokesman Alexei Pavlov said Medvedev signed the agreement in the resort city of Sochi, where the President has a summer residence, but did not give further details. It was not clear if any troops had begun pulling back after Medvedev signed the ceasefire.

Terming Russia’s signing of the peace deal as a “hopeful step”, US President George W Bush said Russia cannot lay claim to South Ossetia and Abhkhazia and should end military operations there.

Bush also asked Russia to honour the agreement by withdrawing forces and ending military operations from Georgia and said that the two breakaway regions lie within the “internationally recognised” borders.

The agreement was signed by Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili the day before. It calls for both sides forces to pull back to positions they held before fighting erupted August 8. The Russian Army quickly overwhelmed the forces of its small US-backed neighbour and then drove deep into Georgia.

The shallow foxholes being gouged out of the earth at Igoeti on Saturday could indicate the Russians’ intention to stay awhile. But they could be meant for defensive positions to guard their comrades as they withdraw.

Farther up the road toward Gori, a Russian armoured personnel carrier sat behind a newly made earthen embankment. Other military vehicles were on the roadside, camouflaged by tree branches.

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