David Miliband launched one of his strongest attacks on Russia when he told the Kremlin it has a "big responsibility" to avoid a new Cold War.

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During an official visit to Ukraine, the British Foreign Secretary accused Russia of trying to "redraw the map" of Europe by recognising Georgia's breakaway regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia.

In a speech in Ukraine's capital, Kiev, Mr Miliband compared Russia's onslaught in Georgia to the Prague Spring of 1968, when Soviet tanks crushed a Czech reform movement.

"The Georgia crisis has provided a rude awakening," he said.

"The sight of Russian tanks in a neighbouring country on the 40th anniversary of the crushing of the Prague Spring has shown that the temptations of power politics remain.

"The old sores and divisions fester. And Russia is not yet reconciled to the new map of this region."

By recognising the supposed independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, Russia had ended "the post Cold War period of growing geopolitical calm in and around Europe".

President Dmitry Medvedev of Russia had also breached international law and shown that his country had not accepted the Soviet Union's collapse, he said.

"The Russian President says he is not afraid of a new Cold War. We don't want one. He has a big responsibility not to start one," the Foreign Secretary said.

As for the consequences of Russia's actions, Mr Miliband said he believed that Moscow is now "less trusted and less respected". He warned against the "tragedy" for Russia of mourning the Soviet Union's collapse and being trapped in history.

Mr Miliband also pledged more action against Russia. "In all international institutions, we will need to review our relations with Russia."

Britain opposes any move formally to expel Russia from the G8 group of rich countries.

But Mr Miliband said that Europe must "re-balance the energy relationship" with Russia and render itself less dependent on Moscow's supplies of natural gas.

Britain will also back Ukraine's eventual membership of both Nato and the European Union.

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