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Georgia: "aggressive" Russia on the anniversary of the war

2023-08-08 13:25:39, Kosova & Bota CNA
Georgia: "aggressive" Russia on the anniversary of the war
Prime Minister of Georgia, Irakli Garibashvili

Georgia's prime minister, Irakli Garibashvili, called Russia "aggressive" on August 8, on the 15th anniversary of the war between the two states over the breakaway region.

Russia sent thousands of troops to Georgia on August 8, 2008, after Tbilisi launched a large-scale military operation in South Ossetia against separatists, who had shelled Georgian villages in the region.

"We have known for a long time that Russia is aggressive, we have known it and now the whole world knows it," Garibashvili told reporters.

Garibashvili's government has been criticized by the opposition for having pro-Russian tendencies.

Russia crushed Georgia's small army in 2008, capturing the territory during a five-day war. Afterwards, the then president of France, Nicolas Sarkozy, brokered a cease-fire agreement.

Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, who authorized military action in 2008, defended Moscow's actions in a statement issued on the anniversary of the war.

"Our army quickly and harshly punished the arrogant nationalists for five days," he said through a statement published on social networks.

He also criticized the West for supporting then-Georgia president Mikheil Saakashvili, drawing parallels with the West's support for Kiev during the ongoing Russian occupation.

"As I said in August 2008, our enemies will be crushed and Russia will achieve all peace, on its own terms," ??he said.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Monday that Kiev stands in solidarity with Tbilisi and that Russia "will pay" for its aggression.

"Ukrainians stand in solidarity with the people of Georgia and I thank all Georgian citizens who are defending freedom together with us," he said.

Hundreds of soldiers and civilians from both sides were killed during the 2008 war. The United Nations has said that nearly 120,000 were displaced as a result of the war, although most have returned home after the conflict./ REL





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