Four NATO countries have warned of the threat of Russia's annexation of South Ossetia
The United Kingdom, France, Germany, and Italy issued a joint statement on the 18th anniversary of the 2008 Russia-Georgia war. The countries reaffirmed their support for Georgia’s territorial integrity and called on other states not to recognize Abkhazia and South Ossetia as independent. Separately, they warned of the danger of Russia’s continued militarization of these territories and possible preparations for their full annexation.
August 7, 2026, marked the 18th anniversary of the start of the Russia-Georgia War. It was on this day in 2008 that Russia launched a military operation against Georgia, and Russian troops subsequently established control over Abkhazia and South Ossetia. The war lasted about five days, but its consequences for Georgia are still felt today.
To mark the anniversary of the events, London, Paris, Berlin, and Rome issued a joint statement. The four countries affirmed their continued support for Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders. “Eighteen years after Russia’s aggression, we reaffirm our full support for Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders,” the statement reads.
Separately, the countries called on states not to recognize the so-called independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. They also welcomed Nauru’s decision to revoke its previous recognition of these territories and urged other countries to do the same. For Georgia, this remains a matter of principle. Tbilisi considers Abkhazia and South Ossetia to be its territories under Russian occupation. The United Kingdom also officially designates these two regions as occupied by Russia and does not recognize their unilateral declarations of independence.
European countries separately highlighted the issue of Russia’s military presence. According to them, Moscow continues to build up its military presence and carry out the militarization of the occupied Georgian territories. “Russia’s ongoing militarization of Georgia’s occupied territories poses a serious threat to Georgia’s security and to regional and European stability,” representatives of the four countries noted.
This issue has not only a military but also a humanitarian dimension. Due to the conflict, thousands of people have been forced to leave their homes. The European Union has previously drawn attention to issues regarding freedom of movement, access to education in one’s native language, property rights, and other rights of the Georgian population in Abkhazia and South Ossetia. In a joint statement, London, Paris, Berlin, and Rome also referenced the rulings of the European Court of Human Rights. In its rulings, the Court held Russia responsible for human rights violations linked to its effective control over the occupied regions of Georgia.
The four countries paid particular attention to the situation in the Tskhinvali region, which Georgia refers to as South Ossetia. Specifically, they addressed the agreement signed by Moscow and local authorities in May 2026. In London, Paris, Berlin, and Rome, officials believe that such steps may be part of preparations for the region’s further integration with Russia and even its complete annexation. That is precisely why European countries are calling for close monitoring of Moscow’s actions and for preventing the legalization of the occupation.
For Georgia, this latest statement is also important because international support for the country’s territorial integrity remains one of the key issues in its foreign policy. European countries do not recognize Abkhazia and South Ossetia as independent states and continue to insist on the need to resolve the conflict while respecting Georgia’s internationally recognized borders.
Eighteen years have passed, but the 2008 war has not become merely a page in history. Russian troops remain in Abkhazia and South Ossetia, and the issue of the occupied territories continues to affect the security of Georgia and the entire region. This is precisely what the United Kingdom, France, Germany, and Italy highlighted in their joint statement. This is stated in a joint statement by the government spokespeople of the four countries.
Georgia’s State Security Service has opened a criminal investigation under the sabotage statute in connection with a large-scale disinformation campaign targeting Russian tourists. According to investigators, false reports were circulated on social media alleging hostile behavior by Georgian residents toward Russian citizens.
