Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy on August 7 commented on the 15th anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Georgia, saying that the “wound” caused by Russia’s occupation of the country remains.
Zelenskiy noted that many observers have said that had the world reacted more decisively when Russia invaded Georgia in 2008, things might be different for Ukraine now.
"The Russian occupation remains -- this wound on the body of the Georgian state remains,” Zelenskiy said in his evening video address. “Many words have already been said about the fact that if the world had been decisive back then, in 2008, many things would have been different.”
Russia should have been made to understand then that the aggressor pays the most for its aggression and “must understand it now," he said.
Zelenskiy also said he believes that a Ukrainian victory would stop the spread of Russian aggression and protect other nations "from what we -- Ukraine, Georgia, and Moldova -- are going through."
Georgia and Russia fought a brief war in 2008 over South Ossetia, a Russian-backed breakaway region of Georgia. Following the war, Russia formally recognized Abkhazia and South Ossetia as independent states and substantially expanded its military footprint in both territories.
Russia also has troops stationed in the pro-Moscow breakaway Transdniester region of Moldova. They have been there ostensibly as peacekeepers since Chisinau and Russia-backed separatists fought a short war in 1992 that was curbed by Moscow's intervention on the side of the separatists.
In Georgia on August 7, the people of the central city of Gori and representatives of the local government gathered to pay their respects at a memorial to fighters who died in the Russian-Georgian war.
A candlelight vigil has been held annually since 2009 at the Heroes' Memorial. Government officials gathered again this year to lay wreaths and deliver speeches.
"We traditionally gather on the 7th of August at the candlelight vigil and thus honor our heroes…who sacrificed themselves, and we try to always remember and appreciate this," Gori Mayor Vladimir Khinchegashvili said.
Events related to the 15th anniversary of the war will continue in Gori on August 8.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken also noted in a statement the anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Georgia.
“Fifteen years ago, Russia invaded the sovereign nation of Georgia and occupied 20 percent of its territory,” Blinken said. “The United States remains steadfast in our support for Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders. The lives of the conflict-affected populations have forever been altered by Russia’s actions.”
Blinken said the United States remembers those killed, injured, and displaced “with deepest respect and heartfelt sympathy.”
He said as in Ukraine, the people of Georgia “have suffered the consequences of Russia’s contempt for international law and desire to dominate its neighbors.”
