Russia’s Foreign Ministry marked the 18th anniversary of the 2008 Russia-Georgia war in an August 8 statement, which again blamed the then-Georgian government for starting the conflict.
According to the Russian Foreign Ministry, on the night of August 7-8, 2008, “in violation of all international agreements on the peaceful settlement of the Georgian-South Ossetian conflict, the Mikheil Saakashvili-led regime treacherously attacked South Ossetia,” leading to what it described as “multiple casualties among civilians and Russian peacekeepers.”
The statement called Russia’s military actions “an operation to compel Georgia to peace,” adding that Moscow later recognized Abkhazia and South Ossetia as independent states “to stave off any further attempts by Tbilisi to regain the ‘lost’ territories by force.”
It claimed that Moscow subsequently assisted the two territories, describing as an “important milestone” the latest so-called “Treaty on Deepening Allied Cooperation” with Tskhinvali, signed on May 9. Tbilisi and Georgia’s international partners have described the treaty as part of Russia’s efforts towards the de facto annexation of the region.
The statement spoke about the importance of Tbilisi signing an agreement on the “non-use of force,” as well as launching the process of delimitation and demarcation of what it called “state borders” with the Abkhazia and Tskhinvali regions.
“These goals are becoming particularly important amid attempts by Western countries, the Nazi regime in Kiev, and radical Georgian political forces to drag Tbilisi into new bloody adventures in the South Caucasus,” the Russian Foreign Ministry said.
The statement added that Moscow “notes” the “ongoing attempts” by Georgian society to “reassess” the August 2008 events.
“Note has been taken of the statements by the Georgian leadership regarding the importance of reconciliation with Abkhazians and South Ossetians, which give rise to hope that this transformation in approaches will not remain at the level of declarations but will rather be supported by specific practical steps aimed at settling relations with Abkhazia and South Ossetia,” the statement added.
“The Russian side remains willing and ready to continue providing comprehensive assistance to the parties in advancing the negotiation process, building confidence, and developing interstate relations in the interests of stability and security in the South Caucasus.”
August 7 marked the 18th anniversary of the Russian invasion of Georgia. The war, which lasted approximately five days, claimed the lives of more than 200 Georgian soldiers and over 300 civilians and displaced thousands. In the aftermath of the war, Russia formally recognized the Abkhazia and Tskhinvali/South Ossetia regions as independent states and significantly expanded its military presence in both territories.
While many in Georgia and in the West have marked the anniversary on August 7, when Russian troops had already entered Georgian territory, Georgian Dream has observed it on August 8, accusing the then United National Movement (UNM) government led by Mikheil Saakashvili of triggering the conflict through a military operation in Tskhinvali.
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