Foreign officials reaffirm “unwavering” support for Georgia’s sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity on 16th anniversary of 2008 Russian invasion

Foreign officials and embassies on Wednesday reaffirmed their “unwavering” support for Georgia’s sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity on the occasion of the 16th anniversary of the 2008 Russian invasion of the country.

In a social media message, the British Embassy said the UK remained “steadfast” in its support for Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

“Today we commemorate the 16th anniversary of the Russia-Georgia war of August 2008. We remember those killed, injured and displaced by Russia’s brutal and illegal actions”, the statement said.

The United States Embassy noted Russia's ongoing violations of the 2008 ceasefire agreement was highlighting the continued struggle for “peace and stability” in the region.

“Today marks the sixteenth anniversary of Russia's invasion of Georgia.  We remember the events of August 2008 and the painful impacts they continue to have on Georgians. The United States continues to advocate for Georgia's sovereignty and territorial integrity in its internationally recognized borders”, the Embassy said.

The German Embassy stressed the unilateral recognition of the breakaway Georgian regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia by Russia and other states was “unacceptable”, and further called on Russia to fully fulfil its obligations under the agreements of August 12 and September 8, 2008.

Sheraz Gasri, the French Ambassador to the country, noted her country was standing with Georgia, whose “independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity continue to be violated by Russia since August 2008”.

Margus Tsahkna, the Estonian Foreign Minister, said “Estonia condemns and will not forget the ongoing occupation of 20 percent of Georgia's territory”.

Marija Pejčinović Burić, the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, reaffirmed her “unwavering” support for Georgia’s sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity.

The Latvian foreign office condemned “unequivocally” the occupation of South Ossetia and Abkhazia and expressed solidarity with the Georgian people against the Russian occupying force and its proxies. 

NATO Spokesperson Farah Dakhlallah called on Russia to withdraw the forces it had stationed in Georgia without its consent.

Gabrielius Landsbergis, the Lithuanian Foreign Minister, stressed Russia's invasion of Georgia 16 years ago was part of the “same old pattern of imperialist expansionism, where brute power overrides international law and order”. 

The Norwegian foreign office called on Russia to end its “blatant” violation of international law, and respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of its neighbour states. 

The Polish foreign office said Poland was standing in solidarity with the Georgian people and condemned the occupation of the Tskhinvali Region [South Ossetia] and Abkhazia.

The 2008 war saw 170 servicemembers and professionals of Georgia’s Ministry of Defence killed, along with 14 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.