The Helsinki Commission, a United States Government agency monitoring security in Europe, on Monday vowed its support to the Georgian people against Russia's “brutal colonialism”, as the country marked the 14th anniversary of the 2008 Russian invasion that spawned the ongoing occupation of two Georgian regions.
The statement stressed Russia's forces had “ethnically cleansed tens of thousands, committed wanton destruction, and today occupy 20% of Georgian territory”.
“Fourteen years ago, Russia's violently imperial designs were laid bare for the world to see in Georgia. After launching an assault on false pretexts, Russia's forces ethnically cleansed tens of thousands, committed wanton destruction, and today occupy 20% of Georgian territory”, the statement said.
Fourteen years ago, #Russia's violently imperial designs were laid bare for the world to see in #Georgia. After launching an assault on false pretexts, Russia's forces ethnically cleansed tens of thousands, committed wanton destruction, and today occupy 20% of Georgian territory.
— Helsinki Commission (@HelsinkiComm) August 8, 2022
In a statement on the date, the Helsinki Commission called on the Georgian Government to work with its Western strategic partners to stop Russian “malign influence” and enhance regional security.
We stand with the Georgian people against Russia's brutal colonialism”, the statement noted.