RUSSIAN tanks are reported to have rolled into the Georgian port town of Poti and are still in the strategic city of Gori despite a ceasefire, Georgia's foreign ministry has said.

The claim has been denied by the Russian foreign ministry which states no Russian troops are on Georgian soil.

Earlier, the ministry said Russian armed forces were pulling out from Gori, a central hub on Georgias main east-west highway, which has been hit by shelling.

But reports said explosions could still be heard.

Meanwhile, Russian president Dmitry Medvedev met the leaders of South Ossetia and another rebel province, Abkhazia, to sign a six-point peace plan.

Aid

The Kremlin leader met the two rebel leaders to sign the plan, to end hostilities, brokered this week by France, it was reported.

"We will support any decisions taken by the peoples of South Ossetia and Abkhazia...and not only do we support it but we will guarantee them both in the Caucasus and throughout the world," he said.

Last night, President Bush began sending US military planes and ships to Georgia with aid and told Russia to pull its troops out.

Experts feared Washingtons action would raise tensions and risk a new Cold War, with one warning it would go down extremely badly in Moscow.

A huge C-17 plane carrying life-saving drugs and shelters landed in Georgia last night and further mercy flights are due today.

Americas intervention was met with jubilation by Georgian president Mikheil Saakashvili, who said his countrys ports and airports were under the control of the US defence ministry.

This was quickly denied by the Pentagon, which insisted it was not taking charge.

But the move was seen as a blunt message that America was ready to defend Georgia against further aggression.

A s****re Mr Bush appeared with Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice at the White House to lay down the law to the Kremlin.

He said he was concerned at reports that Russian troops had blocked roads and blown up boats, saying: We insist Georgias sovereignty and territorial integrity be respected.

There was no reaction from Downing Street last night.

One source said: Its important to get help to people but it is important to send a clear message to Moscow too.

Jonathan Eyal, of defence think-tank the Royal United Services Institute, warned that Moscow would react badly.

Russia warned that at some point America would have to choose between partnership with it or Georgia.