Georgian PM: 2008 war could have been avoided according to Condoleezza Rice and other American partners

The 2008 war between Russia and Georgia could have been avoided according to former United States Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and “other American partners”, Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili told Rustavi 2 channel on Wednesday.

Speaking about the 2008 conflict - on the backdrop of Russia bringing its troops into Ukraine this week - the PM cited Rice, who had been part of the US administration when the war broke out, to claim Georgia’s American partners thought the former president Saakashvili had not done enough to avoid a Russian provocation that resulted in the clash.

Garibashvili mentioned a CNN interview with Rice, posted by the channel on Sunday, in which the former US official said she had warned Saakashvili “the Russians are going to try to provoke you, don’t let them. And, in fact, the Russians provoked them - and then the war broke out.”

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In his comments, Garibashvili also mentioned "the treacherous resolution that was signed by the government of Georgia, on the orders of Saakashvili, which clearly states that the hostilities were unleashed by the Georgian side."

The PM made a comparison between the actions of the Saakashvili government in 2008 and the actions of Ukrainian President Zelensky in the current crisis, saying it would be a mistake if the latter started “active hostilities” before Russia’s recognition of independence of the Ukrainian regions of Donetsk and Lugansk. In 2008, Russia recognised the Georgian regions of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) as independent following its five-day conflict with Georgia.

Garibashvili also told the Rustavi 2 programme he had heard from colleagues at the recent Munich Security Conference it was very important for Zelensky as president to act with a cold mind and restraint in the ongoing crisis with Russia.

Imagine that there is no limit for them [Russia], so this is a big challenge not only for Ukraine and a small country like Georgia, but for the entire region and the world,” the PM added.