John Kerry: “Russia’s occupation of Georgia is unacceptable”
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The United States (US) remains steadfast in its support of Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, says the US Secretary of State.
John Kerry issued a special statement in connection with the eighth anniversary of the Russia-Georgia war of August 2008.
"Russia’s occupation and militarisation of parts of Georgia’s territory are unacceptable,” said Kerry this afternoon.
"We continue to call on Russia to fulfil its obligations under the 2008 Ceasefire Agreement, including the withdrawal of its forces to pre-conflict positions and allowing unfettered access for the delivery of humanitarian supplies,” he added.
Meanwhile Lithuania’s Foreign Minister took to Twitter to express his support for Georgia on this occasion.
"Eight years ago Russia's war in Georgia had to be a lesson to the world,” Linas Linkevicius said.
"Russia annexing Crimea showed it was not the case. Sanctions must continue,” he stressed.
8y ago #Russia's war in #Georgia had to be a lesson to the world. RU annexing #Crimea showed it was not the case. #Sanctions must continue
— Linas Linkevicius (@LinkeviciusL) August 8, 2016
Today marks the eighth anniversary of the most tragic day in Georgia’s recent history – the beginning of the brief but violent war between Russia and Georgia.
Russia’s invasion of Georgia resulted in many casualties and thousands more lost their homes.
After five days of conflict, 228 Georgian civilians, 170 soldiers and 14 police officers had lost their lives. The war also displaced 192,000 people in Georgia.
Today marks the eighth anniversary of the most tragic day in Georgia’s recent history – the beginning of the brief but violent August 8 war between Russia and Georgia. The country is remembering those who lost their lives to defend their homeland.
Tbilisi calls for world unity in response to crisis
When the clock strikes midnight tonight, Georgia will mark the eighth anniversary of Russia’s aggression and occupation of Georgian territory, as a sovereign, independent state.
Georgia’s Minister of Corrections and Legal Assistance announced the four men, who had served at the Ministry’s Special Forces, would be awarded the Ministry’s highest award for Defending the Law and Honour.
On the eighth anniversary of the Russia-Georgia war, the Speaker of Parliament of Georgia says the Government cannot comprehensively investigate the clash as Georgia has no diplomatic relations with Russia – the nation that initiated the aggression on Georgian soil.
Georgia is preparing to host a visit of two members of the United States (US) Congress. Congressmen Duncan Hunter and Mark Sanford are expected to arrive in Tbilisi later today.
Georgia’s strategic partnership with the United States (US) was the focus of a meeting between Georgia’s Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili and US Deputy Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
When Russia invaded Georgia in 2008, no sanctions were imposed by the United States, says US Secretary of State John Kerry.
US Secretary of State John Kerry and Georgia’s Deputy Foreign Minister David Zalkaliani met briefly in Tbilisi today. The officials met as Kerry’s plane landed at Tbilisi International Airport for a technical stop-over.