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Civil.ge
2 days ago
- Politics
- Civil.ge
UN Security Council Members Condemn Russia Actions on August War Anniversary
On the occasion of the 17th anniversary of the 2008 Russo-Georgian war, United Nations Security Council members once again condemned Russia's actions against its neighbors, including in Georgia's occupied territories. 'The Russian invasion of Georgia in August 2008 demonstrated the start of Russia's more aggressive stance toward its neighbors. Russia has continued down this path with its unprovoked and unjustified aggression against Ukraine,' representatives of five UN Security Council countries said in a joint statement issued August 18. The statement followed a closed-door meeting in the UN Security Council on August 18. During the meeting, UN Assistant Secretary-General for Europe, Central Asia, and the Americas in the UN Department of Political Affairs, Miroslav Jenča, debriefed Security Council participants on the situation in occupied territories and provided updated information about the Geneva International Discussions, the Georgian Foreign Ministry reported . After the meeting, several members of the U.N. Security Council, including Denmark, France, Greece, the United Kingdom, and Slovenia, as well as incoming member Latvia, held a press briefing as Slovenia's deputy permanent representative to the U.N., Ondina Blokar Drobič, read the joint statement. The United States was notably absent from the joint statement, having joined similar statements in the past. The statement opened by marking the 17th anniversary of Russia's aggression against Georgia and its subsequent illegal military presence in Georgia's Abkhazia and Tskhinvali regions. The authors said they are resolute in reaffirming Georgia's independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity. The statement further condemned Russia's invasion and continued illegal military presence in contravention of the U.N. Charter and its exercise of effective control, as well as steps toward annexation of the two Georgian regions. The statement reiterated condemnation of 'Russia's continuous provocations, violations of international law, and militarization of the two Georgian regions,' referring, among others, to the unlawful detentions of Georgian citizens, discrimination against ethnic Georgians, as well as the establishment of unauthorized flights, railway, and naval connections between Russia and Abkhazia. It further condemned the killings of Georgian citizens, including Davit Basharuli , Giga Otkhozoria , Archil Tatunashvili , Tamaz Ginturi , Vitali Karbalia , and Irakli Kvaratskhelia , saying the perpetrators must be held accountable. 'We remain deeply concerned with the fact that Russia has not upheld its obligations under the EU-mediated 2008 ceasefire agreement to withdraw its forces to the lines held prior to the outbreak of hostilities, nor met its commitment to allow unhindered access for international human rights monitoring mechanisms, such as the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights,' the statement added. Expressing commitment to the Geneva International Discussions, the statement calls it the 'sole format' to ensure implementation of the EU-brokered cease-fire and the return of internally displaced persons and refugees to their homes. The statement expressed support for EU monitoring missions, in particular the continued meetings as part of the Incident Prevention and Response Mechanism in the village of Ergneti near the Tskhinvali region, while stressing the necessity for the 'immediate resumption' of the same format in Gali in Abkhazia. 'We once again call on Russia to fully implement the 2008 ceasefire agreement and withdraw its forces from the territory of Georgia without delay.' 'We reiterate our 17-year-old call to Russia to reverse the recognition of the so-called independence of the two Georgian regions, not to impede the creation of international security mechanisms, and to allow access of international human rights and humanitarian organizations to both regions,' the statement said. 'We stress the necessity of a peaceful resolution of the Russia-Georgia conflict based on international law, including the U.N. Charter and the Helsinki Final Act,' the statement added. The participants left the scene without responding to a journalist's question about how a potential peace deal between Russia and Ukraine would affect Georgia's sovereignty. After the Security Council session, Russia criticized European diplomacy. 'You've just seen a very vivid illustration of the absolutely pathetic uselessness of European diplomacy…They just tried to take out of the mothballs a conflict that is not current today, with the only aim to undermine ongoing efforts to normalize relations between Russia and Georgia,' Russia's first deputy permanent representative to the UN, Dmitry Polyanskiy, told the press. The official added that Moscow values trade and tourism ties with Georgia and aims to establish 'good and neighborly relations,' while resisting what it described as efforts to turn Georgia into a 'pawn in [their] geopolitical interests.' Note: This news article was updated on Aug. 19 at 3:55 p.m. to include a Russian official's response and the absence of the U.S. from the joint statement. Also Read:
Civil.ge
08-08-2025
- Politics
- Civil.ge
Georgian Foreign Ministry Comments on 17th August War Anniversary
Georgian Foreign Ministry has commented on the 17th anniversary of 2008 Russian invasion of Georgia, calling on Moscow to reverse its recognition of Georgia's occupied territories, respect Georgia's sovereignty and territorial integrity, fulfill the obligations under the ceasefire agreement, withdraw forces from Georgian territory, and stop obstructing the return of internally displaced persons and refugees to their homes. '17 years have passed since Russia's full-scale military aggression against Georgia in August 2008, which resulted in the occupation of Georgia's indivisible regions – Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali region/South Ossetia,' the MFA said in its August 8 statement , noting that Russia continues to refuse to implement the EU-mediated 12 August 2008 Ceasefire Agreement and withdraw its occupation forces from Georgian territory. Russia 'continues to take steps aimed at integrating Georgia's regions into Russia's political, economic, military and social systems in violation of international norms,' the Ministry said. 'Particularly alarming are the numerous illegal actions recently carried out for this purpose,' the MFA noted, also condemning Moscow for impeding the access of international organizations to the occupied territories, obstructing international security mechanisms, and preventing the safe and dignified return of internally displaced persons and refugees. 'Through these actions, Russia is violating fundamental norms of international law, as confirmed by multiple decisions of the International Criminal Court (ICC) and the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) between 2021 and 2024,' the statement added. Reaffirming Georgia's commitment to the peaceful resolution of the conflict, the Ministry asserted the Georgian Dream government's continued use of 'diplomatic and legal means,' in cooperation with international partners, to achieve de-occupation and peaceful reunification of the country. It also highlighted Georgia's 'constructive engagement in the Geneva International Discussions (GID),' the multilateral international platform launched after the 2008 war, which aims to ensure the implementation of the EU-mediated ceasefire agreement and address the rights of displaced persons. The Ministry stressed the importance of the 'unconditional resumption' of the Incident Prevention and Response Mechanism (IPRM) in Gali and the continued, principle-based functioning of the IPRM in both Gali and Ergneti. Expressing gratitude for the 'international community's steadfast support' for Georgia, the Ministry called on Russia to 'revoke the illegal decision recognizing the so-called independence of the occupied regions,' 'respect Georgia's sovereignty and territorial integrity,' 'fulfill the obligations under the 12 August 2008 Ceasefire Agreement,' 'withdraw its forces from Georgia's territory' and stop 'obstructing the return of internally displaced persons and refugees to their homes.' 'The Ministry of Foreign Affairs pays tribute to the soldiers and civilians, who heroically lost their lives in the 2008 war,' the statement concluded. While many in the West, the expert community, and Georgia's opposition circles mark the anniversary on August 7, Georgian Dream officials and government structures usually commemorate the date on August 8 – as they did again in 2025. Also Read:
Civil.ge
28-06-2025
- Politics
- Civil.ge
64th Round of Geneva International Discussions
On June 25-26, the 64th round of Geneva International Discussions (GID) – a multilateral format to address security and humanitarian consequences of the 2008 Russia-Georgia war – was held in Geneva. The Georgian delegation, led by Deputy Foreign Minister and Georgian Dream member Lasha Darsalia, stressed the need for the 'full implementation' of the EU-brokered 2008 ceasefire agreement by Russia, as well as the return of Georgia's internally displaced persons and refugees to their homes, the Georgian Foreign Ministry stated . The Ministry's statement added that the Georgian delegation emphasized the importance of resuming the Incident Prevention and Response Mechanism (IPRM) in Gali 'without any preconditions' and ensuring the continued functioning of both the Gali and Ergneti IPRMs. The delegation raised the 'difficult' security, humanitarian, and human rights situation in the occupied regions and along the occupation lines, 'expressing concern over recent actions such as the illegal launch of the airport, in violation of fundamental principles and norms of international law, as well as the start of regular flights, railway traffic from Russia to Sokhumi, and the launch of an electric train service.' According to the Georgian MFA, representatives of Russia and the occupied regimes, 'as is their usual practice,' left the talks when the issue of returning internally displaced persons and refugees was raised. The press communiqué of the Co-Chairs said they welcomed the participants for their 'continued commitment to this important process,' emphasizing, amid increased tensions in the wider region, the need for the talks to 'make progress and deliver on its core agenda items for the benefit of all conflict-affected people.' On June 26, the participants reviewed security developments on the ground since the last round of discussions in March. 'They continued their discussions, with a particular focus on non-use of force and international security arrangements,' the communiqué says, adding that the Co-Chairs emphasized the importance of commitment to the principle of non-use of force and 'acknowledged the substantive exchanges of views on this agenda item.' In another working group, discussions focused on humanitarian issues, including crossings, documentation, livelihoods, missing persons, cultural heritage, and education. Participants also had additional exchanges on issues related to freedom of movement and external mobility. 'Due to a walkout by some participants, the agenda item 'internally displaced persons and refugees' could not be discussed,' the Co-Chairs note. The Russian Foreign Ministry said that for the key objective of the Discussions — 'to ensure lasting security for Abkhazia and South Ossetia' — the Russian side emphasized the importance of 'concrete steps,' noting that, in 'practical terms,' this should involve 'the provision by Tbilisi of guarantees on the non-use of force against Sokhumi and Tskhinvali, formalized through a legally binding agreement.' 'Further stabilization in the region could also be supported by confirmation — within the GID — of the 'reconciliation' statements made by the Georgian authorities regarding Abkhazia and South Ossetia, and by putting those into practice.' The Russian Foreign Ministry claimed the urgency of these measures stems from the 'ongoing risks of Tbilisi attempting to reestablish control over the former regions by military force, as well as Georgia's continued rapprochement with NATO,' citing the country's 'close cooperation' with the Alliance, including 'regular participation in NATO-led military training exercises.' Saying the participants noted 'relative calm' on the ground, supported by dialogue channels under the GID — including hotlines and the Ergneti IPRM — the Russian Ministry's statement added that security in the region could be further strengthened by resuming the Gali IPRM, and 'by initiating the delimitation of Georgia's borders with Abkhazia and South Ossetia, followed by their demarcation.' The Russian side further criticized Georgia's introduction of what it described as a 'highly politicized' resolution at the UN General Assembly on internally displaced persons, saying it hinders the GID's humanitarian track. 'Georgia's attempts to force parallel discussions of this issue at other international platforms outside the GID — where official representatives of Sukhumi and Tskhinvali are denied access and, consequently, the opportunity to present their principled positions — will continue to block consideration of related topics within the GID format,' the Russian Foreign Ministry said. The Russian Foreign Ministry further claimed that Switzerland has lost 'its declared neutral status,' citing its joining of sanctions against Moscow by the 'collective West,' and said it 'remains relevant' to relocate regular GID meetings from Geneva to a 'truly neutral and acceptable venue for all participants.' The statement from Abkhazia's de facto foreign ministry said its representatives 'once again emphasize the importance of intensifying efforts to conclude a legally binding agreement on the non-use of force' between Sokhumi and Tbilisi. It also echoed the Russian Foreign Ministry by saying the issue of IDPs' return 'cannot be the subject of dialogue' for both occupied regions, 'as long as its consideration in the UN General Assembly is carried out without taking into account the opinions of both parties.' The representatives from the occupied Tskhinvali region, alongside Russian representatives, 'once again called on the Georgian party to launch joint work on the delimitation and subsequent demarcation of the state border' between Tskhinvali and Tbilisi, urging formal negotiations on the issue. They also drew 'serious attention' to what they described as 'ongoing gross violations by Georgia of the rights of Ossetians — natives of the Kazbegi region (Tyrsygom) — who have been denied access to their ancestral lands by Georgian authorities for many years.' The representatives from the occupied regions jointly stated that 'resuming discussions on the refugee issue would only be possible if Georgia renounced the artificial politicization of the problem and stopped discussing it behind the backs of other states involved in resolving it.' The next round of Geneva International Discussions is scheduled for November 2025. Also Read:
