On the 16th anniversary of the August 2008 war between Russia and Georgia, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine denounced Russia’s continued occupation of Georgian territories and called for international solidarity against Russian imperialism.
The statement, released on Wednesday, marked the day in 2008 when Russia launched an armed offensive against Georgia, leading to the occupation of the Abkhazia and Tskhinvali region/South Ossetia. The conflict resulted in the deaths of hundreds of civilians and the establishment of Russian control over the Georgian regions.
Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry condemned the ongoing Russian occupation, describing the affected regions as “gray zones” where lawlessness prevailed and human rights were routinely violated.
Despite the cessation of military operations in August 2008, the statement emphasized that Russian aggression against Georgia had persisted through tactics such as “borderization,” which referred to the creeping annexation of Georgian territories, and the use of propaganda and other hybrid measures.
In its message, Ukraine reaffirmed its unwavering support for Georgia’s independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders. The ministry called on Russia to withdraw its military forces from Georgian territory, in accordance with the 2008 ceasefire agreement, and to reverse its recognition of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali as independent states.
The Ukrainian government further criticized Russia’s long-standing imperial ambitions, which it said had persisted for centuries and remained evident in Moscow’s actions in the South Caucasus, Central Asia, and Europe. The statement linked Russia’s aggression against Georgia and Ukraine to this broader imperial policy, highlighting the need for a united international response to curb Moscow’s ambitions.
“We are confident that only through joint efforts by the international community can we counter Russia’s aggressive policies, secure the withdrawal of Russian forces from occupied territories in Georgia and Ukraine, and hold Russian officials accountable for their crimes,” the statement concluded.
