US urges Russia to respect Georgia’s territorial Integrity

The United States (US) is urging the Russian Federation to respect Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The US Department of State released a statement denouncing Russian President Vladimir Putin’s recent visit to Georgia’s Russian-occupied region of Abkhazia.

"The United States views the visit of President Putin to the Russian occupied Georgian territory of Abkhazia as inappropriate and inconsistent with the principles underlying the Geneva International Discussions, to which Russia is a party”, the statement read.

It added that the US fully supports Georgia's sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders and rejects Russia’s recognition of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali region (South Ossetia).

"The United States urges Russia to withdraw its forces to pre-war positions per the 2008 ceasefire agreement and reverse its recognition of the Georgian regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia”, the Department of State said.

Putin visited breakaway Abkhazia to meet with de-facto leader Raul Khajimba on Tuesday. Tuesday also marked the ninth anniversary of one of the most tragic days in Georgia’s recent history – the beginning of the Russia-Georgia war in August of 2008.