A joint statement links a painful anniversary to fresh warnings about Moscow’s military presence and the risk of further annexation.

On the anniversary of Russia’s aggression against Georgia in 2008, the United Kingdom, together with France, Germany, and Italy, issued a joint statement condemning the ongoing occupation of parts of Georgia’s territory.

The British Embassy in Georgia announced this as the official position of the four countries.

The United Kingdom has joined France, Germany, and Italy in condemning Russia’s activities in the occupied separatist regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia.

– the statement

The statement emphasizes that August 7 is a date on which the devastating consequences of Russian imperialism are remembered: in 2008, Russia launched military action against Georgia, after which Abkhazia and South Ossetia were occupied.

August 7 is a date on which we remember the devastating consequences of Russian imperialism. On this day in 2008, the Russian Federation launched military action against Georgia, further undermining Georgia’s territorial integrity, and occupied the Georgian regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia.

– the statement

Eighteen years after the aggression, the countries expressed their support for Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders. At the same time, they welcomed the decision by the Republic of Nauru to withdraw its recognition of the so-called independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, and called on other countries to follow suit.

Eighteen years after Russia’s aggression, we reaffirm our full support for Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders. We welcome the decision by the Republic of Nauru to withdraw its recognition of the so-called independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. We call on countries that have established diplomatic relations with these entities to follow suit.

– the statement

We reiterate our condemnation of Russia’s continued military presence in the occupied regions. Moscow’s ongoing militarization of Georgia’s occupied territories poses a serious threat to Georgia’s security and to regional and European stability.

We reiterate our condemnation of Russia’s continued military presence in the occupied regions… Moscow’s ongoing militarization of Georgia’s occupied territories poses a serious threat to Georgia’s security and to regional and European stability.

– the statement

The four countries also reiterated their support for the Geneva Discussions and noted that they are the only framework for a peaceful resolution of the conflict. They expressed their approval of the work of the EU Monitoring Mission in Georgia and reaffirmed their readiness to support it.

The Agreement on Deepening Alliance and Cooperation, signed on May 9, 2026, between Moscow and the de facto authorities of South Ossetia, further violates Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and constitutes a clear breach of international law. This document, as well as the appointment of a Russian citizen as the region’s leader, raises concerns about the possible full-scale annexation of the region, which will not go unanswered.

– the statement

The statement also highlighted the European Court of Human Rights’ rulings of October 2025, under which Russia was found responsible for human rights violations in the occupied regions.

We are concerned by the latest developments in South Ossetia.

– the statement

The diplomats also reiterated their support for the Geneva process and noted that it is the only platform for a peaceful resolution of the conflict. They highlighted the effectiveness of the EU Monitoring Mission in Georgia and reaffirmed their readiness to support it.

The statement concludes with a call to preserve dialogue and take joint steps toward stabilizing the region and respecting Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.