US Secretary of State highlights “steadfast support” of Georgia’s sovereignty, territorial integrity on 16th anniversary of Russia’s invasion of country

The United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Wednesday highlighted his country’s “steadfast support” of Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders, in his statement on marking 16 years since Russia’s invasion of the country. 

In the press statement released by the US Department of State, Blinken remembered all those who had been killed and displaced by Russia’s illegal occupation.

Today we mark sixteen years since Russia invaded the sovereign nation of Georgia and remember those killed, injured, or displaced by Russia’s military campaign and illegal occupation. To this day, Russia continues to occupy 20 percent of Georgia’s territory and impose its will on the people there, including by claiming the transfer of strategically important lands in Abkhazia to Russia and taking steps to establish a permanent naval base in Ochamchire”, the Secretary of State said.

The US official called on Russia to fulfil its commitments and obligations under the 2008 ceasefire agreement to withdraw its forces to pre-conflict positions and allow unimpeded access for the delivery of humanitarian assistance. 

We also call on Russia to reverse its recognition of the so-called independence of Georgia’s Abkhazia and South Ossetia regions”, he noted, adding these actions would allow tens of thousands of internally displaced people to return to their homes “safely”.

Blinken also stressed the United States’ support for the Georgian people in their pursuit of a Euro-Atlantic future and a peaceful solution to the conflict was enduring.