EU condemns Russian cyber attack against Georgia
High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of European Commission Josep Borrell. Photo: Forbes.
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High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of European Commission Josep Borrell has condemned Russia’s widespread cyber attack against Georgia back in October 2019.
Borrell has tweeted:
???????????????? Georgia was the victim of a targeted cyber-attack, causing damage to their social & economic infrastructre. The EU calls to promote and conduct responsible behaviour in cyberspace. We will continue to assist Georgia in increasing its cyber resilience https://t.co/1aQrs8p533
— Josep Borrell Fontelles (@JosepBorrellF) February 21, 2020
The Georgian Foreign Ministry said yesterday that on October 28, 2019 the Russian General Staff Main Intelligence Directorate (GRU) Main Center for Special Technologies carried out a ‘widespread, disruptive cyber attack’ against web pages and servers of Georgian government agencies, court and media organisations.
The ministry thanked the international community earlier today for the ‘strict and immediate’ condemnation of Russia’s action, adding that only yesterday about 20 foreign states condemned the cyber attack.
Russian Foreign Ministry has denied allegations, stating that ‘there is no evidence providing’ the country was involved, accusing Tbilisi, Washington, London and other states of ‘synchronized’, anti-Russian propaganda.
The Georgian Foreign Ministry has thanked the international community for the ‘strict and immediate’ condemnation of Russia’s widespread cyber attack against Georgia back in October 2019. “Briefly we stated yesterday that Russia stood behind the cyber attack last year, about 20 countries condemned the action which shows that Georgia is not alone in combating severe challenges,” Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Vladimer Konstantinidi said earlier today.
Russian Foreign Ministry has denied widespread allegations that it carried out a cyberattack against Georgia in October 2019, stating that ‘there is no evidence providing’ the country was involved, accusing Tbilisi, Washington, London and other states of ‘synchronized’, anti-Russian propaganda. “All accusations are again lined up in the spirit of the notorious ‘highly likely,” Russian Foreign Ministry says.
Foreign Secretary of the United Kingdom Dominic Raab has condemned Russia’s “unacceptable cyber-attacks against Georgia”. Calling the Russia’s military intelligence service - GRU's - "reckless and brazen campaign" of cyber attacks against Georgia "totally unacceptable", Secretary Raab said the UK will continue to counter its "menacing behaviour" together with allies.
The Georgian Foreign Ministry has stated that on October 28, 2019, the Russian General Staff Main Intelligence Directorate (GRU) Main Center for Special Technologies carried out a ‘widespread, disruptive cyber attack’ against web pages and servers of Georgian governmental agencies, court and media organisations.“The attack caused serious damage to the web pages and servers. The cyberattack aimed to undermine Georgia’s national security, harming the Georgian population, disrupting the functioning of government agencies, as well as various organizations, and stirring commotion in public."
Georgian Foreign Minister David Zalkaliani has thanked High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of European Commission Josep Borrell for condemning Russia’s widespread cyber attack against Georgia back in October 2019.
Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia held a meeting with new Dutch Ambassador to Georgia Maaike van Koldam yesterday. During the meeting they discussed ways to further strengthen relations between Georgia and the Netherlands “in all formats”.
The United States, Estonia and the United Kingdom have condemned the Russian cyber-attack on Georgia in October 2019 during a closed meeting of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) on March 5, 2020, reports the press office of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia.
Georgia and 15 other states were involved in a large-scale, international operation coordinated by Europol to arrest 20 individuals suspected of belonging to the QQAAZZ criminal network which has laundered tens of millions of euros on behalf of the world’s foremost cybercriminals.
Vice-President of European Commission and High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell Fontelles has stated at the European Parliament today that the EU is looking forward to seeing Georgian political parties progress on dialogue.