US State Secretary Antony Blinken on Monday responded to the 15th anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Georgia and said his country remained “steadfast” in support of Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders. 

“The lives of the conflict-affected populations have forever been altered by Russia’s actions.  With deepest respect and heartfelt sympathy, we remember those killed, injured, and displaced by Russia’s forces”, he said in an official statement. 

He added Russia’s actions during its occupation, including the Kremlin’s “malign disinformation campaigns”, so-called “borderization,” and mass displacement still caused “untold hardships”, adding like in Ukraine, the people of Georgia had suffered the consequences of Russia’s “contempt for international law and desire to dominate its neighbors”. 

“The United States remains determined to hold Russia accountable for its obligation under the 2008 six-point ceasefire agreement to withdraw its forces to pre-conflict positions and allow unimpeded access for the delivery of humanitarian assistance.  Russia must also reverse its recognition of the so-called independence of Georgia’s Abkhazia and South Ossetia regions”.  

“These actions are essential for hundreds of thousands of internally displaced people to be able to return to their homes safely and live with dignity”, he said. 

Blinken added his Government remained "unwavering” in support for Georgia’s Euro-Atlantic aspirations and its stance to solve conflicts peacefully.