The opposition party For Georgia has accused Russia of launching a new phase of the de facto annexation of Georgian territory following the appointment of Russian official Marat Kambolov as the so-called Prime Minister of the occupied Tskhinvali region.
In a statement, the party said the move represents a direct challenge to Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and called on the Georgian authorities to end their silence and strengthen cooperation with international partners.
Party says the so-called President of the Tskhinvali regime, Alan Gagloev, signed a decree appointing Kambolov, a serving Russian federal official, as chairman of the de facto government.
“The so-called governmental changes carried out by the occupation regime and the direct transfer of a serving Russian federal official from Moscow to key positions within the puppet regime are not merely routine personnel reshuffles. The Russian Federation has launched a new stage of annexing Georgian territory in the occupied Tskhinvali region,” the statement said.
The party argued that the appointment is part of the implementation of the so-called Treaty on Deepening Allied Cooperation signed between Moscow and the de facto authorities in Tskhinvali earlier this year.
“For Georgia” stated that preventing annexation and achieving the de-occupation of the country remain among its highest national priorities.
“We will not allow the normalization of this grave process directed against Georgian statehood and will continue to fight for the protection of Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity both domestically and on every international platform,” the party said.
The opposition party also called on the Georgian Parliament and the government to take a more active stance.
“Stop remaining silent, return to the constitutional framework, restore active cooperation with international partners, and support the anti-annexation resolution,” the statement reads.
The Tskhinvali region, also known as South Ossetia, has remained under Russian occupation since the 2008 Russia-Georgia war. Most of the international community recognizes the region as part of Georgia and supports the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders.
