On Tuesday, Irakli Garibashvili, the Prime Minister of Georgia, called Russia an “aggressor” as he marked the 15th anniversary of the war since the two nations battled a war over a breakaway region.
Moscow sent thousands of troops to Tbilisi on August 8, 2008, after Georgia launched a military operation against South Ossetian separatists.
Garibashvili told reporters that we have known for a long time that Moscow was an aggressor, we know that and the whole world knows that.
The government of Garibashvili has been condemned by the opposition for having pro-Russian leanings.
Moscow routed Tbilisi’s small troops in 2008, settling large swathes of part over five days before a ceasefire was interceded by Nicolas Sarkozy, then French President.
Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, who allowed the martial action in 2008, supported Russia’s actions in a statement marking the anniversary. Our troops rapidly and brutally retaliated against the arrogant nationalists in five days, he said on social media.
He also condemned the West for supporting, Mikheil Saakashvili, the then Georgian president, pulling resemblances with the West’s support for Ukraine during Russia’s continuing invasion of Ukraine. As in August 2008, our foes will be thrashed, and Moscow will gain peace on its terms, he added.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the Ukrainian President, said that Ukraine stood with Georgia and that Moscow would pay for its aggression. He added that Kyiv stands with the people of Georgia, and I thank all Georgian locals who are supporting freedom with us.
