Russia accuses Ukraine and EU of drawing Georgia into conflict

The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has accused Ukraine and the European Union of attempting to draw Georgia into a new armed conflict with Russia. The statement was issued on the 18th anniversary of the 2008 war in Georgia.

Moscow highlighted ongoing tensions between Tbilisi and the breakaway regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. The Russian government stated that stability in the border zones would require "initiating the process of delimiting state borders between Georgia, South Ossetia, and Abkhazia, followed by their physical demarcation."

Russia also criticized efforts within Georgian society to reinterpret the events of August 2008. The Ministry noted that the ruling Georgian Dream party attributes responsibility for the conflict to former President Mikheil Saakashvili, a stance the Russian Ministry welcomed.