Russia has welcomed what it describes as a shift in Georgia’s approach to the August 2008 war, praising statements that place responsibility for the conflict on former President Mikheil Saakashvili and his government.
In a statement marking the 18th anniversary of the five-day war, Russia’s Foreign Ministry said it welcomed “continuing attempts in Georgian society to reassess the events of August 2008” and described recognition of the Saakashvili government’s responsibility for starting the conflict as justified.
Moscow also welcomed calls from members of the ruling Georgian Dream party for reconciliation with Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali region, also known as South Ossetia.
It urged Tbilisi to negotiate a legally binding non-use-of-force agreement with the de facto authorities in the two regions and begin talks on delimiting what Russia considers their state borders.
The statement comes as Georgian Dream has increasingly accused Saakashvili and his United National Movement of responsibility for the 2008 conflict.
Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze reiterated that position around this year’s anniversary, accusing the former government of acting against Georgia’s national interests.
The issue has become increasingly prominent in Georgian domestic politics. However, Tbilisi’s official position continues to regard Abkhazia and South Ossetia as Georgian territories under Russian occupation.
On the anniversary, Georgia’s Foreign Ministry again called on Moscow to withdraw its forces and fulfil the EU-mediated ceasefire agreement signed on 12 August 2008.
The EU-commissioned Independent International Fact-Finding Mission, led by Swiss diplomat Heidi Tagliavini, concluded that large-scale hostilities began with Georgia’s shelling of Tskhinvali on the night of 7-8 August.
However, the report did not assign overall responsibility for the conflict to Georgia alone, examining a longer period of escalating tensions and actions by all sides.
The war ended after an EU-mediated six-point ceasefire. Russia subsequently recognised Abkhazia and South Ossetia as independent states and maintains troops there, while Georgia and most of the international community regard the territories as part of Georgia. The EU continues to describe Russia’s military presence there as an occupation and says it violates Moscow’s obligations under the 2008 ceasefire.
U.S. efforts to squeeze Iran’s economy through an oil blockade and sanctions are becoming increasingly difficult for Tehran to withstand, acc...
U.S. negotiators Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner will visit Russia then Ukraine over the weekend, Russian state news agency TASS has reported, citi...
The 83rd Venice Film Festival has opened on the Lido, bringing Hollywood stars and leading filmmakers together for a programme dominated by war, po...
Russian President Vladimir Putin has said that he thinks there is a chance of a peace being reached with Ukraine. He told the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok, Russia that he believed there was "a chance of finding a solution," to the conflict.
The Iranian Health Ministry said at least 18 people were killed and 142 others injured in U.S. airstrikes carried out between 30 August and 2 September.
U.S. negotiators Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner will visit Russia then Ukraine over the weekend, Russian state news agency TASS has reported, citing an unnamed source. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has also said American envoys will visit the capitals of both countries.
Start your day informed with the AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top stories for the 3rd of September, covering the latest developments.
The Iranian Army has again struck at U.S. bases in Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates in retaliation for U.S. attacks on southern and western parts of Iran late on Tuesday, which reportedly killed 18 people and injured more than 100 others.
A unique architectural monument dating back to the 9th to 12th centuries has been discovered in the village of Gargara, in the Korez village commune in Dangara district in Tajikistan.
Japan and the UN Office on Drugs and Crime have launched a $9.4 million, two-year project across five Afghan provinces to help former poppy-growing families and expand drug prevention and treatment services.
For centuries, Lahore has been shaped by the people, cultures and empires that passed through it. Now, the Pakistani city is preparing to put that rich history before a wider regional audience.
Israel is ready to move Palestinians from Gaza as soon as the U.S. approves, the country’s Defence Minister Israel Katz has said. He told a conference hosted by Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth on Wednesday that there was “no real solution” for Gaza without migration.
Flights between Central Asia and Russia have faced widespread disruption, with aircraft diverted, turned back or cancelled amid restrictions in Russian airspace and conflicting claims from Moscow and Kyiv over aviation safety.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment