Russia’s wars in Georgia, Ukraine “part of one, large-scale aggression” - Georgian Parliament Speaker

Georgian Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili on Monday said Russia's aggression against Georgia in 2008 and in Ukraine in 2014 and again this year were “part of one, large-scale aggression”, in comments on the 14th anniversary of 2008 conflict. 

In comments on international reactions to Russia’s invasion in August 2008, Papuashvili said the absence of the international community’s “principled position” over the war had encouraged Russia to later proceed with its “aggressive policy” against Ukraine.

• PM highlights “peaceful, prudent” policy to restore territorial integrity on Russian invasion anniversary

Over the past several years we have witnessed an upward trend of Russia’s aggression. Perhaps the inadequate reaction of the international community to Russia’s aggression against Georgia in 2008 encouraged Russia’s aggressive actions against Ukraine in 2014 and then earlier this year”, Papuashvili said. 

In comments on the August 2008 War anniversary, Georgia’s Defence Minister Juansher Burchuladze also said a more robust position against Russia’s invasion 14 years ago could have prevented the current hostilities in Ukraine. 

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: Parliament of Georgia press office

The war between Russia and Georgia took the lives of 169 servicemembers and professionals of the Ministry of Defence, along with 19 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.