The UN Security Council held a closed session to discuss the situation in the territories of Georgia occupied by Russia, marking the 16th anniversary of the Russia-Georgia war.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Francesca Gatt, Deputy Permanent Representative of Malta, presented a report, which provided updated details on the situation in the occupied territories and the status of Geneva International Discussions.

“After the meeting, representatives from the US, the UK, France, Japan, Malta, Slovenia, and future members Denmark and Greece made a joint statement to the media.

They highlighted that 16 years have passed since Russia’s military aggression against Georgia and its illegal invasion of Georgian territories, which underscored Russia’s increasingly aggressive stance towards its neighbouring countries and the broader European security structure.

The representatives expressed strong support for Georgia’s independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders. They voiced serious concerns about Russia’s ongoing violations of Georgia’s territorial integrity, including the continued illegal deployment of Russian military forces in Abkhazia and Tskhinvali. These actions were condemned as violations of the UN Charter, reflecting Russia’s efforts to exert control over these regions through political, military, economic, and social integration, including actions such as signing integration agreements and transferring strategically significant locations like the Bichvinta resort, Sukhumi airport, and Ochamchire port to Russia. They also criticized the illegitimate elections conducted in these territories.

The representatives reiterated their call for Russia to fully comply with the ceasefire agreement brokered by the European Union on August 12, 2008, and to withdraw its military and security forces from Georgian territory immediately”, - reads the statement.