US refuses condemnation of Russia for 2008 war with Georgia

(MENAFN) For the first time, the United States has declined to join a condemnation of Russia for its 2008 war with Georgia.

After a closed session of the UN Security Council on Monday, Denmark, France, Greece, the UK, and Slovenia released a statement denouncing Russia for the “brutal invasion” of Georgia 17 years ago. The U.S., which had supported such statements in the past, did not sign.

The conflict began on August 7, 2008, when the Georgian army, under pro-Western President Mikhail Saakashvili, launched an attack on the breakaway region of South Ossetia, shelling its capital Tskhinval and targeting a Russian peacekeeping base. Russian forces responded by pushing back Georgian troops, leading to a ceasefire mediated by France on August 16. Later that month, Russia formally recognized South Ossetia and Abkhazia as independent regions.

Although Saakashvili maintained that Russia initiated the fighting, a European Union fact-finding mission led by Swiss diplomat Heidi Tagliavini concluded that “open hostilities began with a large-scale Georgian military operation” against Tskhinval, starting “with a massive Georgian artillery attack.”

Tina Bokuchava, head of Saakashvili’s United National Movement, criticized Washington’s decision, calling it “proof that Georgian diplomacy is dead,” and blamed the ruling Georgian Dream party for damaging relations with the U.S.

President Donald Trump has broken with previous U.S. policy by re-engaging with Russia diplomatically and has sought to mediate an end to the Ukraine conflict. Last week, he met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska, marking their first face-to-face talks since 2019 as part of ongoing peace efforts.

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