United States will use “all tools” to make Russia withdraw troops from Georgia - US OSCE Ambassador

Michael Carpenter, the US Ambassador to the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe, has called Georgia a “very important, democratic country”.

Agenda.ge, 02 Dec 2022 - 16:00, Tbilisi,Georgia

The United States will use “all tools” to “one day” make Russia meet the conditions of the 2008 ceasefire agreement and respect Georgia's sovereignty and territorial integrity, Michael Carpenter, the US Ambassador to the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe, told the Georgian Public Broadcaster on Friday. 

Calling Georgia a “very important, democratic country”, the diplomat said his Government would continue to support Georgia’s Euro-Atlantic aspirations. 

Carpenter said Georgia used “all diplomatic efforts to ensure effective communication in various areas in the South Caucasus region and beyond, including Central Asia” despite its “challenging neighbourhood”.

So, we want to keep Georgia on the agenda, we will continue to help the country in its Euro-Atlantic aspirations”, said the politician. 

Commenting on the 2008 Russia-Georgia conflict, the Ambassador said the invasion had been part of Russia's “imperialistic ambition”, adding the international community had reacted to the aggression “ineffectively” in its aftermath.

Carpenter told the channel the international community’s “improper reactions” to the aggression against Georgia had encouraged Russia to invade Crimea in 2014. 

He also said Russia was continuing its illegal actions on the occupied territory of Georgia, including through installation of unlawful barriers along the occupation line and violations of the rights of people living in and adjacent to the occupied Abkhazia and Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) regions.