US reaffirms support for Georgia’s sovereignty on 2008 war anniversary

The United States has marked the 17th anniversary of the 2008 Russia-Georgia war by paying tribute to the victims and reaffirming its “steadfast support” for Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

In a statement released on Thursday, the US Embassy in Tbilisi said: “Today marks 17 years since Russia's invasion of Georgia, a day to remember the victims of war, those who were displaced, and those who lost their lives fighting.”

The embassy noted that the United States continued to stand “in solidarity with the Georgian people” and acknowledged how “deeply Georgians continue to honor the memory of their heroism.”

The war in August 2008 between Russia and Georgia over the Tskhinvali region (South Ossetia) lasted five days and resulted in hundreds of deaths and the displacement of tens of thousands of civilians. Russian troops remain stationed in both Tskhinvali and Abkhazia, territories internationally recognised as part of Georgia.