Representatives of Georgian civil society have issued an open appeal to international partners, warning of the intensification of Russian annexation processes in Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali region, as well as growing security threats. The document is addressed to the UN, the European Union, the EU Monitoring Mission (EUMM), the OSCE, and NATO. It was signed by former ministers, diplomats, military officials, experts, and representatives of various political circles.
The authors of the appeal state that they condemn Russia’s ongoing policy of de facto annexation of Georgian regions. In their view, Moscow’s actions directly threaten the country’s sovereignty and regional stability.
The appeal notes that the combination of events in recent years points to Russia’s step-by-step implementation of a policy to annex Georgian territories. In particular, the authors point to an agreement signed on May 9, 2026, between Russian President Vladimir Putin and the de facto leader of the Tskhinvali region, Alan Gagloev, on “deepening alliance cooperation.” According to their assessment, the document creates a legal basis for transferring real estate and resources to Russian citizens, while also strengthening the region’s integration into Russia’s political, economic, and infrastructural systems.
Special attention is paid to the appointment of Russian official Marat Kambolov to the post of the so-called prime minister of the Tskhinvali region. The authors believe this step indicates the region’s de facto transition under the direct control of the Russian Federation.
The document also highlights the intensification of annexation processes in Sukhumi. According to the signatories, legislative “harmonization” with Russian law, the opening of the real estate market to Russian capital, and the coordination of these processes by the Russian Presidential Administration led by Sergey Kiriyenko point to a gradual legal and economic absorption of the region.
The authors of the appeal describe the transformation of the port of Ochamchire into a military stronghold for the Russian Black Sea Fleet as particularly alarming, along with threats directed at Tbilisi, which they believe pose security risks for the entire Black Sea region.
The signatories also note that these developments are unfolding against the backdrop of Russia’s ongoing war against Ukraine and the weakening of Russian influence in the South Caucasus. In their assessment, there is a risk that Moscow will attempt to compensate for its declining influence by further escalating the situation in the occupied territories of Georgia.
Furthermore, the appeal criticizes Moscow’s demand to sign a non-use of force agreement not with Russia, but with the de facto authorities of the occupied regions. The authors view this initiative as politically motivated and recall that Georgia has already repeatedly and unilaterally committed to the non-use of force.
Representatives of civil society called on international partners to:
- reaffirm support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia within its internationally recognized borders;
- condemn Russia’s actions aimed at the de facto annexation of the occupied territories;
- consider introducing targeted sanctions against individuals involved in illegal annexation and militarization processes;
- strengthen the policy of non-recognition of the independence of the occupied regions;
- expand support for Georgia in strengthening civic resilience and countering hybrid threats.
The authors of the appeal emphasize that timely and coordinated actions by the international community are essential to ensure that Russia pays a high political and economic price for its aggression, ethnic cleansing, and violations of international law.
In conclusion, the signatories declare that Georgian civil society remains committed to the de-occupation of the country, the peaceful resolution of conflicts, and Georgia’s European and Euro-Atlantic future.
The appeal was signed by dozens of former ministers, ambassadors, diplomats, military officers, experts, and public figures, as well as a number of organizations.
