UN Security Council marks 16th anniversary of Russia-Georgia war with closed session

The UN Security Council convened on Wednesday in a closed session to address the ongoing situation in Georgian territories occupied by Russia and the broader Russian-Georgian conflict. This meeting coincided with the 16th anniversary of the 2008 war between Russia and Georgia.

During the session, Francesca Gatti , Acting Permanent Representative of Malta to the United Nations, delivered a report to the Security Council. Gatti provided an update on the current conditions in the affected regions and the status of international negotiations taking place in Geneva.

Following the session, a joint statement was issued by representatives from the US, the United Kingdom, France, Japan, Malta, Slovenia, as well as future Council members Denmark and Greece. The statement commemorated the anniversary of Russia’s military aggression against Georgia and its illegal invasion of Georgian territories. It underscored the escalation of Russia’s aggressive policies towards neighboring countries and its implications for European security.

The representatives reaffirmed their support for Georgia’s sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders. They expressed concerns over Russia’s ongoing violations of Georgia’s territorial integrity, including the illegal occupation of the Abkhazia and Tskhinvali regions. The statement condemned Russia’s actions, which include the deployment of military forces, annexation attempts, and the illegal transfer of strategic facilities such as the Bichvinta resort, Sokhumi airport, and Ochamchire port to Russian control.

The statement also called on Russia to adhere to the ceasefire agreement signed on August 12, 2008, brokered by the European Union, and to withdraw its troops from Georgian territory immediately.