Georgian PM: “Not only could 2008 war have been avoided, but it was started by Saakashvili’s regime”

Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze, speaking to journalists in Antalya, supported recent remarks by Minister of Culture Tea Tsulukiani, who stated that the 2008 war could have been avoided, and Georgia’s fallen soldiers might still be alive today.

“When Tea Tsulukiani talks about the possibility of avoiding the war and saving the lives of our heroes—who could now be caring for their families—she is simply stating a fact,” Kobakhidze said.

He went further, directly blaming former President Mikheil Saakashvili’s administration for starting the war. “We all know very well that not only could this war have been avoided, but it was actually initiated by Saakashvili’s regime. They later signed documents that effectively acknowledged this.”

According to Kobakhidze, Tsulukiani’s comments reflect objective reality. “Had Saakashvili’s regime not followed the orders it received and acted upon, there would have been no war, and no casualties. That’s exactly what Tea Tsulukiani emphasized,” he stated.

He concluded by saying the situation is “absolutely clear,” reinforcing the ruling party’s narrative that the 2008 war with Russia was provoked by the actions of the previous Georgian government.