MOSCOW, September 19 (RIA Novosti) - President Dmitry Medvedev said on Friday that Russia will do everything possible to restore regular relations with Georgia.

"We believe in the Georgian people's good sense and will do everything possible to restore regular, friendly relations," Medvedev said.

Russia and Georgia fought a brief war last month after the Caucasus state's offensive to retake breakaway South Ossetia. Moscow subsequently recognized the republic along with breakaway Abkhazia as independent states, and Georgia severed diplomatic ties with Russia.

Addressing a meeting of civic organizations in Moscow, Medvedev expressed regret that anti-Russian propaganda in Georgia has affected longstanding ties, but said he believes they will improve eventually.

Medvedev also blamed NATO for provoking the conflict, and urged for new pan-European security arrangements.

He said the Western military alliance is unable to ensure security in Europe, which "is understood even by those who in private conversations with me had said 'NATO will take care of everything.'"

"What did NATO ensure? It only provoked the conflict, nothing else," Medvedev said.

The majority of Western powers criticized Russia for its counterattack against Georgia and recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, and sided with Tbilisi, which aspires to NATO membership.