NEWS

US ambassador to UN: Russia systematically supporting, ignoring abuses of Georgian citizens in, near occupied regions

The US Ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield has called on OSCE to push for Russia to end its occupation of Georgian territories. Photo: Michael Reynolds/EPA/Bloomberg via Getty Images.

Agenda.ge, 11 Mar 2021 - 12:43, Tbilisi,Georgia

The US Ambassador to UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield has stated that Russia continues to occupy 20 per cent of Georgian territories ‘while supporting or systematically ignoring abuses of Georgian citizens living in or near Georgia’s Russian-occupoied Abkhazia and Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) regions.

Russia has not yet fully implemented the 2008 ceasefire, including its obligation to withdraw its forces to pre-conflict positions, or its commitment to allow unfettered access for humanitarian organizations. The United States firmly supports Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. We urge the OSCE to push for Russia to end its occupation and implement the 2008 ceasefire agreement in full,” the ambassador said at a UN Security Council briefing on OSCE cooperation yesterday.

Russia recognised the two Georgian regions of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali as independent states after the Russia-Georgia 2008 war.

Since then only Venezuela, Nicaragua, Nauru and Syria have recognised the regions as independent states.

The rest of the international community is unanimous in that the regions are occupied by Russia and call on the country to leave the Georgian territory.

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