Georgian PM blames ex-President Saakashvili and his party for 2008 war

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze accused the United National Movement (UNM) and its leader, former President Mikheil Saakashvili, of misleading the public about the start date of the 2008 war with Russia and intentionally fueling societal division.

Speaking to journalists on the 17th anniversary of the war, Kobakhidze criticized UNM for years of marking August 8 as the start of the conflict, only to later admit it began on August 7.

“Back in 2009, they thought the war started on August 8, and ten years later they figured out it actually began on August 7?” Kobakhidze said. “Their goal is to divide society on every issue.”

He called the discrepancy "shameful" and said it reflects poorly on the opposition. “This reveals their disgraceful face,” he added.

Addressing a reporter’s question about allegations of the current government advancing Russian interests in Georgia, Kobakhidze responded sharply, saying that it was in fact Saakashvili who acted in Russia’s favor in 2008.

“The one who served Russia’s interests in Georgia was Mikheil Saakashvili and his party. The war resulted in the occupation of 20% of our territory, followed by Russia’s so-called recognition [of independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia],” Kobakhidze said.

He also referenced the 2008 EU-brokered ceasefire and a Council of Europe resolution, claiming that Saakashvili’s government admitted starting the war. “They even signed the Council of Europe resolution, where they acknowledged initiating the war themselves,” Kobakhidze stated.