Eurostocks cut losses, Russia says ends Georgia ops

European stocks trimmed losses by mid-morning on Tuesday after the Kremlin said Russian President Dmitry Medvedev had ordered an end to the military operation in Georgia.

At 0900 GMT, the FTSEurofirst 300 index of top European shares was down 0.3 percent at 1,208.91 points, after falling by as much as 0.8 percent earlier.
Oil prices dropped further CLc1, down $1.63 at $112 a barrel.
Mining and energy stocks were among the biggest losers, falling along with commodity prices. Xtrata was down 3 percent and Total was down 0.4 percent.

The Russian statements came as French President Nicolas Sarkozy was heading to Moscow to negotiate an EU-brokered truce for the fierce conflict over the breakaway region.

Georgia launched an offensive late Thursday to regain control over South Ossetia, which has run its own affairs since 1992 and developed close ties with Russia. Russia sent in troops that fought Georgian forces and launched air raids over Georgian territory.