The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia responds to the meeting of Russian President Vladimir Putin and leader of the occupation regime of Sokhumi - Raul Khajimba. According to Foreign Ministry spokesman Vladimir Konstantinidi, such a move by the Russian president ahead of the 11th anniversary of the August war is aimed to legitimize the occupation regime. Konstantinidi said that despite Russia"s efforts, the international community would never tolerate illegal occupation of Georgian territories.
"On the eve of the eleventh anniversary of the Russo-Georgian war 2008, Vladimir Putin"s meeting with the leader of the occupation regime in Sokhumi is yet another illicit attempt to legitimize the occupation regimes and to legitimize their influence over the occupied regions. This action is directed against Georgia"s sovereignty and territorial integrity and grossly ignores the fundamental norms of international law. The international community will never tolerate the illegal occupation of Georgian regions," - said Konstantinidi.