The members of the UN Security Council reaffirmed their strong commitment to Georgia’s independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders.

A group of member states, including France, Japan, Slovenia, Great Britain, the USA, Malta, and future Security Council members Greece and Denmark, deliver a statement on the situation in Georgia at the Security Council Stakeout, on the anniversary of the 2008 war.

“Russia’s invasion of Georgia in August 2008 marks a more aggressive trend in Russian policy regarding its neighbouring countries and the European security architecture. As we are witnessing today, with the Russian Federation’s unprovoked and unjustified aggression against Ukraine, Russia has continued on this path. We are resolute in reaffirmation of Georgia’s independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders.

We deplore the continued violation of Georgia’s territorial integrity by the Russian Federation. We condemn Russia’s brutal invasion, continued illegal military presence and exercising of effective control of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali regions.

These regions are integral parts of Georgia. Russia’s steps towards the annexation of Georgia’s regions through incorporation of these regions into its political, military, judicial, economic, and social spheres, including signing of integration treaties, transferring the strategically important Bichvinti resort, Sukhumi airport and Ochamchire port to Russia, conducting illegal so-called elections, including Russian presidential elections in Abkhazia and Tskhinvali in March 2024, and parliamentary elections in Tskhinvali-South Ossetia region in June 2024.

We reiterate our condemnation of Russia’s continued provocations, the continued military drills in Georgia’s territory, in territorial sea and airspace, the steps toward the establishment of a permanent naval base in Ochamchire, which poses a significant threat to the security of Georgia and, wider Black Sea region”, - said Ambassador Francesca Gatt, Deputy Permanent Representative of Malta, speaking on behalf of the Security Council members.

The Security Council members expressed concern over the erection of artificial barriers dividing Georgian regions and condemned the killings of Georgian citizens, including Davit Basharuli, Giga Otkhozoria, Archil Tatunashvili, Tamaz Ginturi, and Vitali Karbaia, called for accountability in the death of Irakli Kvaratskhelia, whose perpetrators have yet to be brought to justice.