United Nations: Western Nations Call for Return of Occupied Georgian Territories
Six Western nations within the framework of the UN Security Council have jointly demanded that Moscow relinquish control over two regions—Ossetia and Abkhazia—to their neighboring country. This call coincides with the 15th anniversary of Russia’s occupation of 20 percent of Georgia’s territory. The United States, United Kingdom, France, Albania, Japan, and Malta issued a collaborative statement underscoring that Russia’s encroachment upon Georgia in 2008 highlights a concerning pattern of aggression towards its neighboring nations.
The collaborative statement further draws parallels between Russia’s contemporary policies and the ongoing situation in Ukraine. Following Security Council consultations centered on Georgia, the joint communication affirms the determination of these six countries to uphold Georgia’s independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity—adhering strictly to internationally recognized borders.
Context: Russia’s 2008 Conflict with Georgia
Russia engaged in a brief conflict with Georgia in August 2008, an endeavor in which it aimed to exert control over the breakaway province of South Ossetia. However, Russia’s efforts were unsuccessful. Subsequently, Moscow chose to acknowledge the independence of South Ossetia and another breakaway Georgian province, Abkhazia, while simultaneously establishing military installations within these territories.
Western Nations’ Stance on Resolution and Territorial Integrity
Western nations are united in advocating for a peaceful resolution to the Russia-Georgia conflict, rooted in international law and guided by principles outlined in the UN Charter. The call emphasizes the paramount significance of recognizing the territorial integrity of all nations. In response, Dmitry Polinsky, Russia’s deputy ambassador to the UN, labeled the collective stance of the six Western countries as “hypocrisy,” attributing Georgia’s territorial loss to “negligence.”
