Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and the country’s officials on Monday expressed their solidarity with Georgia and “resolute support” for its sovereignty and territorial integrity on the 15th anniversary of the Russia-Georgia 2008 war. 

“It is only the complete de-occupation of Ukrainian and Georgian lands, punishment of Russian invaders and compensation for the damage they have caused that will bring peace and stability to Europe and the world”, Zelenskyy tweeted. 

Zelenskyy’s Chief of Staff, Andriy Yermak, said “Russia should be punished. The complete de-occupation of the territories of Ukraine and Georgia, compensation for the losses, will return peace to Europe and also the world order”. 

David Arakhamia, an Ukrainian MP of Georgian origin, stressed “today everyone knows very well that Georgia was not to blame for this war” and that the Georgian nation had “heroically defended itself from the evil empire”. 

He noted Georgians were the “first victims” of the Russian aggression, and former President Miakheil Saakashvili was the “first politician” who he said had warned the international community of “fatal consequences” of Moscow’s actions. 

“Today, Ukrainians will not only withstand, but also defeat the main enemy of the world - Putin! And this is happening with the participation of Georgian fighters, and it will bring peace and happiness not only to Ukraine, but also to Georgia and with us to the whole civilized world!” he said. 

The Russian invasion of Georgia in 2008 had led to the occupation of 20 percent of the country’s territories.