"Principled" int'l reaction to Russia’s war in Georgia could’ve prevented Ukraine war - Georgian Defence Minister
Georgian Defence Minister Juansher Burchuladze on Monday urged the international community to accelerate Georgia’s Euro-Atlantic integration process. Photo: Defence Ministry press office
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The International community realised this year that it should have shown a "principled" reaction to Russia’s 2008 war in Georgia, Georgian Defence Minister Juansher Burchuladze said on Monday at the Mukhatgverdi Fraternal Cemetery outside Tbilisi, reiterating the messages of Georgian top officials that a more robust position against Russia’s aggression 14 years ago could have prevented the current hostilities in Ukraine.
In his remarks, Burchuladze stressed the international community could show such principled position "even now" through accelerating Georgia’s integration into the Euro-Atlantic space.
First of all, today we honour our heroes. Our Government has pledged to continue to offer care for their families. Fourteen years following the August War, the civilised world has understood, probably, this year, that it should have maintained a more principled position [towards Russia’s aggression against Georgia]. I believe that this principled position can be expressed even today, through accelerating Georgia’s integration into the European Union and other organisations or ensuring collective defence”, Burchuladze said.
Flags flying at half-mast in front of the Defence Ministry offices to honour fallen servicemembers and victims of the Russian aggression in 2008. Photo: Defence Ministry press office
In comments earlier on Monday, Georgian PM Irakli Garibashvili said his Government had chosen a “peaceful, prudent” policy as the way to restore territorial integrity and unify the country.
During the 2008 war between Russia and Georgia 169 servicemembers and professionals of the Ministry of Defence were killed along with 11 employees of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and 224 civilians.
Around 30,000 citizens of Georgia were forced to abandon their homes in the now-occupied Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) region.