UN Security Council members call on Russia to withdraw forces from Georgia

Representatives of seven countries, including five current UN Security Council members, have called on Russia to withdraw its forces from Georgia and reverse its recognition of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali as independent states.

The call came after a closed-door UN Security Council meeting on the Russia-Georgia conflict, held on the 18th anniversary of the August 2008 war, according to Georgia's Foreign Ministry.

The joint statement was signed by representatives of the United Kingdom, France, Latvia, Denmark and Greece, all current Security Council members, as well as incoming members Austria and Portugal.

The countries reaffirmed their support for Georgia's independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders and condemned Russia's continued military presence in the country's occupied territories.

They called on Russia to fully implement the 12 August 2008 ceasefire agreement, immediately withdraw its forces from Georgian territory and reverse its recognition of the regions. 

The signatories also urged Russia not to obstruct the establishment of international security mechanisms in the occupied territories and to allow international human rights and humanitarian organisations access to both regions.

The statement condemned what the countries described as Russia's continued provocations and militarisation in Abkhazia and Tskhinvali, as well as illegal air, maritime and rail links.

They also criticised steps towards the annexation of the territories, including an agreement signed on 9 May 2026 between Russia and the de facto authorities in Tskhinvali on deepening allied cooperation.

The countries welcomed Nauru's decision to withdraw its recognition of the regions as independent states and sever diplomatic relations.

They called on other countries that recognise the territories as independent to follow Nauru's example.

The signatories also backed the Geneva International Discussions and called for the continuation of the Ergneti Incident Prevention and Response Mechanism meetings, as well as the immediate resumption of the Gali meetings.

The statement stressed the need to protect the rights of internally displaced people and refugees and to create conditions for their safe, dignified and unhindered return.

The countries said the Russia-Georgia conflict should be resolved peacefully in accordance with international law, including the UN Charter and the Helsinki Final Act.