The foreign ministries of France, Germany, Italy and the United Kingdom have issued a joint statement marking the 18th anniversary of the 2008 Russia-Georgia War, reaffirming their “full support” for Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders.
“August 7 is another stark reminder of the grave consequences of Russian imperialism,” the four countries said, noting that on this day in 2008, Russia launched military action against Georgia, further violating the country’s territorial integrity and occupying the Georgian regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia.
Eighteen years after the Russian aggression, the four governments reiterated their support for Georgia and welcomed the Republic of Nauru’s decision to withdraw its recognition of the self-proclaimed independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. They called on other countries that have established diplomatic relations with the two Russian-occupied regions to follow suit.
The statement again condemned the presence of Russian military forces in Abkhazia and South Ossetia, saying it violates international law as well as Russia’s obligations under the six-point ceasefire agreement of August 12, 2008.
“The ongoing militarization by Russia of Georgia’s occupied territories poses a serious threat to Georgia’s security, as well as to regional and European stability,” the statement said.
The four countries also referred to an October 2025 ruling by the European Court of Human Rights, which found Russia responsible for multiple violations in the occupied regions, including excessive use of force, ill-treatment, unlawful detention and unlawful restrictions on movement across the administrative boundary lines separating Georgian-controlled territory from the Russian-occupied regions.
They called on Russia to implement the European Court of Human Rights’ judgments and fully comply with the commitments it undertook on August 12 and September 8, 2008.
The statement also expressed concern over recent developments in South Ossetia, particularly an “agreement on deepening alliance and cooperation” signed between Moscow and the region’s de facto authorities on May 9, 2026.
Four governments say the agreement further violates Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and represents a “clear violation of international law.”
The statement said the agreement, together with the appointment of a Russian citizen to lead the region, has heightened concerns about its possible “full-scale annexation,” warning that such a move “will not go unanswered.”
France, Germany, Italy and the UK also reaffirmed their support for the Geneva International Discussions, co-chaired by the European Union, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) and the United Nations, describing the format as the only platform that allows the parties to work toward resolving the conflict.
The four countries also praised the work of the European Union Monitoring Mission in Georgia (EUMM) and pledged to continue supporting its role.
Image: Aug. 8, 2008 photo of a column of Russian armored vehicles. AP Photo/Musa Sadulayev
