Georgian civil society addresses international partners regarding the annexation processes and security risks of Georgia’s occupied regions by the Russian Federation.

In particular, former ministers, diplomats, representatives of various political circles and experts address Georgia’s international partners – the United Nations (UN), the European Union (EU), the European Union Monitoring Mission (EUMM), the OSCE, and NATO.

The letter states that representatives of Georgian civil society condemn the ongoing process of de facto annexation of the occupied Abkhazia and Tskhinvali regions by Russia. The letter emphasizes that the dynamics of the Russian Federation’s actions pose a direct threat to Georgia’s sovereignty and stability in the region.

As civil society representatives note, the set of facts recorded in recent years confirms that the Russian Federation is implementing a policy of gradual annexation of the occupied territories of Georgia, which is reflected in the following alarming trends:

“The so-called “Agreement on Deepening Allied Cooperation”, signed in Moscow on May 9, 2026 by the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin and the so-called President of occupied Tskhinvali Alan Gagloev, represents a new dimension of de facto annexation, which gives the right to appoint its own citizens to so-called political positions in the system of the regime operating on the ground, creates the “legal” basis for the transfer of real estate and resources to Russian citizens, and deepens the functional integration of the socio-economic and infrastructural systems of occupied Tskhinvali into the Russian Federation. The appointment of Marat Kambolov, a high-ranking official of the Russian Federation, as the so-called Prime Minister of occupied Tskhinvali and the transfer of the reins of government to him through personnel changes represents the abolition of the formal signs of local puppet rule and the direct, open transition of the occupied region under the rule of the Russian Federation.

The annexation processes are also intensifying in occupied Abkhazia, where, through legislative “harmonization” with Russia and the opening of the real estate market to Russian capital, Moscow is carrying out a “legal” and economic absorption of the region. The comprehensive coordination of the processes is personally led by the Moscow curator - Sergei Kiriyenko from the highest echelons of the Russian presidential administration. Of particular concern is the transformation of the Ochamchire port into a military base for the Russian Black Sea Fleet and the threats voiced against Tbilisi, which directly threaten the security of the Black Sea.

These processes are taking place against the backdrop of Russia’s large-scale military aggression against Ukraine and the weakening of Russia’s influence in the South Caucasus. There is a high risk that Moscow will use Georgia’s occupied territories to compensate for its own diminished influence.

Moscow’s demand that Tbilisi sign the so-called “Non-Use-of-Force Agreement” not with the real party to the conflict – Russia – but with the regimes of the occupied regions, is preparing the ground for establishing the entire territory of Georgia as a sphere of Russian influence. We emphasize that Georgia has repeatedly undertaken a commitment not to use force unilaterally, including at the international level, which reveals the political and provocative nature of such demands,” the appeal.

Civil society representatives call on international organizations and partner states to:

Reaffirm their support for Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders;

Condemn Russia’s aggressive rhetoric and steps toward de facto annexation at the international level;

Consider imposing targeted sanctions against those individuals who are directly involved in the illegal annexation and militaristic processes underway in the occupied territories of Georgia;

Further strengthen the policy of non-recognition of the so-called independence of the occupied regions.

Increase support for Georgia’s civil resistance and develop capabilities to respond to hybrid threats.

The authors of the appeal believe that timely and coordinated action by Georgia's partners is necessary to make Russia pay a high political and economic price for its aggression against neighboring countries, ethnic cleansing, and gross violations of the principles of international law.

The authors of the letter also emphasize that Georgian civil society remains committed to de-occupation, peaceful resolution of the conflict, and the country's European and Euro-Atlantic future.

For information, the appeal is open for further accession by representatives of Georgian civil society and other interested parties.

The signatories of the appeal are:

Teona Akubardia (Deputy Secretary of the National Security Council of Georgia 2014-2018, Member of Parliament 2020-2024);

Malkhaz Mikeladze (Georgian Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary);

Tina Khidasheli (Georgian Minister of Defense 2015-16, Chairwoman of the Civic Idea);

David Sikharulidze (Former Minister of Defense of Georgia 2008-2009);

Giorgi Muchaidze (Executive Director of the Atlantic Council of Georgia);

Mikheil Darchiashvili (Former Deputy Minister of Defense of Georgia 2013-2014);

Teimuraz Kekelidze (Ambassador of Georgia to the Republic of Cyprus 2020-2023)

Shalva Lomidze (Head of the Intelligence Service of Georgia 2021-2024;)

Giorgi Bilanishvili (Former Director of the Department of Foreign Security Issues of the State Security and Crisis Management Council);

Nino Gorgodze (International Relations Specialist);

Maia Gogiberidze (International Relations Specialist);

Karlo Tskitishvili (International Relations Specialist);

Gigi Gigiadze (Senior Researcher, Economic Research Center);

Nodar Kharshiladze (Georgian Center for Strategic Analysis);

Mikheil Ukleba (Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Georgia);

Merab Antadze (Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Georgia);

Zurab Eristavi (Georgian Ambassador to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan 2009-2013 and to the United Mexican States 2015-2020);

Giorgi Melashvili (Chairman of the European-Georgian Institute);

Nikoloz Vashakidze (Former Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of Defense, Former Deputy Secretary of the Security Council);

Gela Sekhniashvili (Former Ambassador of Georgia to Argentina);

Giorgi Chkheidze (Envoy Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Georgia);

David Nardaia (Envoy Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Georgia);

Elguja Khokrishvili (Executive Director of the Center for Democracy, Geopolitics and Resilience);

Nato Bachiashvili (International Center for Geopolitical Studies);

Merab Vashakidze (Envoy Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Georgia);

Zviad (Sandro) Chumburidze (Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary);

Giorgi Karalashvili (Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary);

Irakli Laitadze (Professor at Iliauni);

Nikoloz Rtveliashvili (Envoy Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Georgia);

David Dondua (EU Awareness Center);

Valeri Chechelashvili (Envoy Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, former Secretary General of BSEC 2000-2004, former Minister of Finance 2005);

David Bujiashvili (Envoy Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary);

Giorgi Kvelashvili (Envoy Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary);

Grigol Magrakvelidze (diplomat, international relations specialist);

Gela Bezhuashvili (Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, former Minister of Defense - 2004, former Minister of Foreign Affairs - 2005-2008);

Marika Rakviashvili (Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary);

Tengiz Pkhaladze (former Advisor to the President of Georgia - former Secretary of Foreign Affairs 2014-2018);

Nikoloz Kavtaradze (former Director of the Defense Department of the State Security and Crisis Management Council);

Paata Davitaia (Chairman of the Temporary Commission of the Parliament of Georgia to Study the August Events, Deputy Speaker of the Parliament - 2008-2012);

Ivane Machavariani (Former Ambassador of Georgia to Japan - 2006-2009; Former Secretary of Foreign Affairs of the President of Georgia - 2013-2015; Former Secretary of the Security Council - 2015-2018);

Giorgi Badridze (Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Georgia, Senior Researcher, Georgian Foundation for Strategic and International Studies);

Vakhtang Kapanadze (Reserve Major General, Chief of the General Staff of the Georgian Armed Forces 2005-2006 and 2012-2016);

Vladimir Chachibaia (Reserve Lieutenant General, Commander of the Georgian Armed Forces 2016-2020 and former Member of Parliament 2020-2024);

Gocha Javakhishvili (Former Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Georgia to France);

Elene Marchilashvili (former diplomat);

Archil Gegeshidze (Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Georgia);

Tariel Lebanidze (Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary);

Manuchar Tsotsonava (Envoy Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary);

Konstantine Gabashvili (Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Former Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Foreign Relations Chairman);

Temur Iakobashvili (Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, former State Minister);

Zurab Tchiaberashvili (Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, former Mayor of Tbilisi);

Eka Akobia (Professor, Caucasus University);

Sergi Kapanadze (Professor, Ilia State University);

Georgian Diplomatic Society DSG (unites more than 40 former diplomats);

Nukri Nodia (Movement for Abkhazia);

Davit Kapanadze (Former Senior Advisor to the Georgian Mission to the UN and other international organizations in Geneva);

Mamuka Gamkrelidze (Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary).