The United Nations Security Council held a closed meeting on the 17th anniversary of the Russia-Georgia war, focusing on the situation in the Russian-occupied territories of Georgia and broader issues related to the conflict.

"Miroslav Jenča, the UN Assistant Secretary-General for Europe, Central Asia, and the Americas, delivered a report during the meeting, providing the Council members with updated insights into the current on-the-ground situation and the progress of international negotiations in Geneva.

Following the session, representatives from Security Council member states, the United Kingdom, France, Slovenia, Denmark, and Greece, along with Latvia, a future member of the Council, issued a joint statement to the media.

In their statement, they acknowledged that 17 years have passed since Russia`s aggression against Georgia and the subsequent illegal military presence in the regions of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali. They highlighted that Russia`s invasion of Georgia in August 2008 marked the start of an increasingly confrontational and aggressive policy towards its neighbours. This pattern continues today, exemplified by Russia`s unprovoked and unjustified invasion of Ukraine.

The joint declaration reaffirmed strong support for Georgia`s independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders. It condemned Russia`s breach of the UN Charter through the invasion and continued illegal military presence, as well as steps toward the annexation of the two regions under its control.

Deep concern was expressed over Russia`s failure to implement the ceasefire agreement brokered by the EU on August 12, 2008. The agreement`s obligations, including the withdrawal of Russian forces to pre-conflict positions and ensuring unhindered access for international human rights monitoring mechanisms such as the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, remain unfulfilled.

The statement underlined that the countries remain committed to the Geneva International Discussions", - reads the statement of Georgian Foreign Ministry.