“Russia’s annexation of Georgia’s regions would not go unanswered” - embassies on 18th anniversary of August war

France, Germany, Italy, Britain: Russia’s annexation of Georgia

France, Germany, Italy and the UK issued a joint statement marking the 18th anniversary of the 2008 Russo-Georgian war, reaffirming their support for Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

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18 years after the Russian aggression, we reaffirm our full support to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia within its internationally recognized borders. We welcome Republic of Naoero’s decision to withdraw its recognition of the so-called independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia.

We urge states that have established diplomatic relations with these entities to follow this example,” the statement said.

August 7, 2026 marks 18 years since the start of the Russo-Georgian war over South Ossetia. In the 2008 war, 412 Georgian military personnel and civilians were killed, along with 365 people on the Ossetian side. Some 20,000 ethnic Georgians were displaced. Georgia also lost control of 125 more villages in the Tskhinvali region (South Ossetia).

The independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia is recognized by Russia, Nicaragua, Venezuela and Syria.

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France, Germany, Italy and the UK condemned Russia’s military presence in Abkhazia and South Ossetia.

ЭWe reiterate our condemnation of Russia’s ongoing military presence in the occupied breakaway regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia in violation of international law as well as Russia’s obligations under the six-point agreement of 12 August 2008.

Russia’s ongoing militarization of Georgia’s occupied territories poses a serious threat to the security of Georgia and to regional and European stability,” France, Germany, Italy and the UK said.

The statement also referred to rulings by the European Court of Human Rights.

In October 2025, the court found Russia responsible for a number of violations in the occupied regions, including the use of excessive force, ill-treatment, unlawful detention and restrictions on movement between Georgian-controlled territory and areas occupied by Russia.

“We urge Russia to implement the rulings of the European Court of Human Rights relating to this situation and to fully fulfil the commitments it made on August 12 and September 8, 2008,” the statement said.

The four countries also expressed concern over recent developments in South Ossetia.

They said the so-called “Agreement on Deepening Alliance and Cooperation,” signed by Moscow and the de facto authorities in South Ossetia on May 9, 2026, further violates Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and is incompatible with international law.

“This is a clear violation of international law. This document, as well as the appointment of a Russian citizen to head the region raise concerns on a possible full-fledged annexation of the region, which would not go unanswered,” the statement said.

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Support for the Geneva International Discussions, co-chaired by the EU, OSCE and UN, was reaffirmed.

They said it is the only format that allows the parties to work towards a peaceful resolution of the conflict.

The statement also stressed the importance of the EU Monitoring Mission in Georgia and said its work would continue to be supported in the future.

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