TBILISI. May 3 (Interfax) - Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili said on Saturday that the current row between Georgia and Russia is a standoff between "absolute evil" and "virtue," and he expressed determination to seek "the definitive defeat of evil.

Georgia's main challenges lie ahead and will be much more dangerous than the former ones, Saakashvili told a congress of his ruling United National Movement party.

"Everything has been blocked off for Georgia, and an attempt has been made to drive it into an impasse," he said, citing "the closure of the borders" and "a transportation blockade," as evidence.

"But we have been able to overcome everything and find solutions, we have found new ways to develop, new markets, we have responded by laying a railway to Europe. Despite everything, we have not died nor will we die, no matter how hard some of our neighbors are pressing for this," the president said.

Georgia seeks peace, although it needs new arms, Saakashvili said. "We are being asked, Why do you need such an amount of arms? In order to avoid being occupied by today's most dangerous power," he said.

"Our enemies want Georgian territory, which would, of course be a welcome gain for them, but the main targets of the attack are democracy and freedom, the fight against corruption and the construction of a free economy, something our country pursues," Saakashvili said.

"But we are ready to pass this exam, because Georgia is today the flagship of the cause of democracy, and, if we lose, absolute evil will defeat virtue, and we cannot allow this to happen. We are defending our future but we are also defending virtue, and St. George will lead us ahead. Our victory will mean the definitive defeat of evil," the president said.