European member states of the UN Security Council issued a joint statement marking the 18th anniversary of the outbreak of the Russo-Georgian war. The document was prepared by Denmark, France, Greece, the United Kingdom, and Latvia, alongside incoming Security Council members Austria and Portugal.
The authors reiterated their condemnation of Russia’s multiple acts of aggression against Georgia and Moscow’s occupation of Georgian regions, calling on the Russian Federation to fulfill its obligations and withdraw from Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali region.
“Russia’s invasion of Georgia in August 2008 demonstrated the start of a more aggressive stance by Russia toward its neighbors. Russia continues along this path, waging unprovoked and unjustified aggression against Ukraine and engaging in reckless and dangerous actions against its neighbors.
We firmly declare Georgia’s independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders. We condemn Russia’s brutal invasion and ongoing illegal military presence in violation of the UN Charter, as well as its exercise of effective control and steps toward the annexation of two Georgian regions, including the signing of so-called integration treaties, most recently the so-called ‘treaty on deepening allied cooperation’ signed on May 9, 2026, between Russia and the de facto authorities of the occupied Tskhinvali region/South Ossetia, the immediate steps taken toward its implementation, the appointment of a Russian citizen as the leader of sovereign Georgian territory, the transfer of strategically important parts of Georgian territory and infrastructure to Russia, and the holding of illegitimate so-called elections.”
The authors of the statement welcomed the Republic of Nauru’s decision to withdraw its recognition of the independence of Sokhumi and Tskhinvali and called on other states to follow suit.
They also reiterated their condemnation of Russia’s continuous provocations, violations of international law, and the militarization of the Georgian regions, including restrictions on freedom of movement, unlawful detentions and abductions of local residents, discrimination against ethnic Georgians, and bans on native-language education. The statement also highlighted the deliberate damage caused to Georgian cultural heritage, the installation of barbed wire along the occupation line, and the establishment of unauthorized flight, rail, and maritime links between Russia and Abkhazia.
“We also condemn the killings of Georgian citizens Davit Basharuli, Giga Otkhozoria, Archil Tatunashvili, Tamaz Ginturi, Vitali Karbaia, and Irakli Kvaratskhelia. Those responsible for these crimes must be held accountable.”
“We recall the judgments of the European Court of Human Rights, which has repeatedly confirmed that, because Russia exercises effective control over Georgia’s Abkhazia and Tskhinvali regions, it bears responsibility for grave human rights violations, including the killing of civilians, torture, inhuman and degrading treatment, and the list goes on. We urge Russia to comply with these rulings.
We also highlight the arrest warrants issued by the International Criminal Court for individuals accused of war crimes against Georgia’s civilian population.”
The statement expressed deep concern over Moscow’s failure to fulfill its commitments under the 2008 EU-mediated Ceasefire Agreement and reaffirmed commitment to the Geneva International Discussions, “which remain the only format” to ensure the implementation of the agreement.
