Georgia demands that Moscow withdraw its troops and renounce recognition of occupied Abkhazia and South Ossetia
In connection with the 17th anniversary of the August war, the Georgian Foreign Ministry issued a statement. It emphasizes that Russia "continues to violate international law by refusing to withdraw its troops from the occupied territories of Abkhazia and South Ossetia" and fulfill other obligations under the ceasefire agreement.
"The Georgian Foreign Ministry calls on the Russian Federation to reverse its illegal decision to recognize the so-called independence of the occupied territories, respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia, fulfill its obligations under the ceasefire agreement of August 12, 2008, withdraw its troops and not hinder the return of internally displaced persons and refugees to their homes," Tbilisi said in a statement.
In August 2008, fighting lasted five days between Georgia on one side and the Russian Federation and the self-proclaimed republics of South Ossetia and Abkhazia supported by it on the other. It ended after the signing of a ceasefire agreement mediated by the EU.
