European countries join US, UK in condemning Russian cyber attack on Georgia
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A number of European countries have joined the United States and the United Kingdom in condemning Russia’s cyber attack against Georgia carried out in October 2019.
This reckless conduct demonstrates once again Russia’s disrespect for the norms of responsible state behaviour as well as reduces stability in cyberspace. As a result of practising unlawful cyber operations, Russia should be held accountable according to existing international norms and treaties”, the Estonian Foreign Minister Urmas Reinsalu said.
He also added that the recent “malicious cyber operations” are part of Russia’s “increased hybrid and subversive activities”, which include conducting illegal elections in the Georgian occupied regions of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali (South Ossetia), the worsening situation along the occupation line and intensified disinformation campaigns.
Cyberattacks and other active measures conducted by the Russian Intelligence Services in the territories of Georgia as well as the European Union and NATO Allies are unacceptable and must stop”, he said.
Strongly reiterating its support to Georgia's sovereignty and territorial integrity, Lithuania has urged Russia "to stop malicious cyber activities against Georgia".
Sharing "deep concern" about Russia’s "disruptive cyber activities", Denmark noted that it will continue "to promote a peaceful, free, open and secure cyberspace".
Norwegian Foreign Ministry also tweeted on behalf of FM Ine Eriksen Soreide:
We share concerns about cyber operations in #Georgia. Respect for norms, rules and principles for responsible state behaviour is essential to maintain international peace and stability in cyberspace - FM #EriksenSoreide https://t.co/NwNwLOPoWB
— Norway MFA (@NorwayMFA) February 20, 2020
Foreign Minister of the Netherlands Stef Blok has also joined international partners in condemning the "unwarranted cyber attacks" against Georgia.
We join our international partners in condemning the unwarranted cyber attacks against Georgia on 28 October 2019. The Netherlands shares the assessment that Russia is responsible.
— Stef Blok (@ministerBlok) February 20, 2020
Statement: https://t.co/hHI1wEyE0Y
The Foreign Ministry of the Czech Republic considers that similar attacks "are a clear violation of state sovereignty, undermine trust, and threaten the rules-based multilateral order".
1/2 @CzechMFA condemns cyberattacks on #Georgia from October 28, 2019. While we do not have the primary forensic evidence in this case, we have no reason to doubt the attribution assessment made by our allies → ????????https://t.co/UcKnNgTZYF ????????https://t.co/Uf0AlzMsCJ https://t.co/3pUhjVSXVs
— Czech MFA (@CzechMFA) February 20, 2020
Poland shares the position of its allies and international partners that "irresponsible and malicious" cyber activities of Russia, "undermining the international stability and sovereignty of other countries, must be exposed and strongly condemned".
Together with our EU and NATO partners, we are ready to continue our collaboration with Georgia to increase its resilience against cyber and hybrid threats", the Polish Foreign Ministry said.
Swedish Foreign Minister Ann Linde condemned "recurring state sponsored cyber attacks which violate existing norms for responsible state behavior, erode trust and threaten stability in cyberspace", while Foreign Minister of Iceland Guðlaugur Þór called for "stable, secure, open and free cyberspace".
Meanwhile, Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia thanked the international community for supporting Georgia:
Last October, #Georgia suffered a reckless cyber attack affecting state, media & business entities. This was an intolerable act attempting to undermine our sovereignty. We deeply appreciate the vocal support from our partners & allies around the world. @SecPompeo @DominicRaab
— Giorgi Gakharia (@GakhariaGiorgi) February 20, 2020
The Georgian Foreign Ministry has recently announced that Russia stands behind the "widespread, disruptive cyber attack" against web pages and servers of Georgian governmental agencies, court and media organisations, which was carried out on October 28, 2019.