Georgian civil society issued a joint statement on the 18th anniversary of the 2008 Russo-Georgian August War.

As noted in the statement, the August War clearly demonstrated that Georgia’s defense capability and preservation of statehood are closely linked to the support of international partners.

The statement emphasizes that the efforts of American and European partners, including the visit of European leaders to Tbilisi during the war, played an important role in stopping Russia’s military advance and protecting Georgia’s statehood.

The statement states that for years, Russia has been trying to shift the responsibility for its aggression onto the victim itself, Georgia, which is a traditionally tried and tested tactic of the Russian Empire. It is noted that repeating this narrative and/or sharing its content harms Georgia’s state interests. Civil society believes that the historical truth related to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia should not become a subject of internal political controversy.

Civil society emphasizes that Russia’s large-scale military aggression against Georgia in August 2008 and then against Ukraine in 2014 and 2022 is a clear reminder to the civilized world that Russia’s aggressive policy is not just a challenge to Georgia. Rather, it poses a threat to the international order based on the sovereign equality of states, freedom and respect for international law.

“It has been 18 years since Russia launched a full-scale military aggression against Georgia on August 7, 2008. We pay tribute to the memory of the military personnel, police officers and civilians who died for the independence and territorial integrity of Georgia. Their sacrifice is an integral part of our state and national memory.

The August War is not just a part of the past. Its historical understanding is directly related to Georgia’s national security, the goals of the de-occupation policy, and the unwavering protection and strengthening of the international legal positions that the country has developed over the past 18 years. That is why public discussion of the 2008 war requires special responsibility. When it comes to the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, it is unacceptable to distort historical facts for party purposes.

After the war, with the support of Western partners, Georgia has achieved significant legal, diplomatic and political results. The efforts made over many years in various periods have significantly strengthened Georgia's international positions in the matter of protecting its sovereignty. A policy of non-recognition of the so-called independence of our occupied regions by Russia has been formed, which has the strong support of the international community. Despite great efforts, Russia has not managed to obtain recognition of the so-called independence of these territories by any country with a responsible government.

The European Court of Human Rights and the International Criminal Court have confirmed Russia's responsibility for the occupation and serious violations of international law in Georgia with important decisions.

The August war has left us with another important lesson - Georgia's defense capability and preservation of statehood are directly related to international partnership. The efforts of our American and European friends, including the supportive visit of European leaders to Tbilisi during the war, played a crucial role in stopping Russia's military advance and in preserving the Georgian state.

For years, Russia has been trying to shift the blame for its aggression to the victim, Georgia, which is a traditional tactic of the Russian Empire. Repeating this narrative and/or sharing its content harms Georgia’s state interests. The historical truth, which is related to Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, should not become a subject of internal political controversy.

Russia’s large-scale military aggression against Georgia in August 2008 and then against Ukraine in 2014 and 2022 is a clear reminder to the civilized world that Russia’s aggressive policy is not just a challenge to Georgia. Rather, it poses a threat to the international order, which is based on the sovereign equality of states, freedom and respect for international law.

Once again, we pay tribute to the heroes who died for the freedom of Georgia. We appreciate the sacrifices of the wounded and injured military personnel who participated in the war, as well as those military personnel who are still standing guard over the defense of the homeland today. Their sacrifice obliges us to uphold historical truth, preserve national dignity and serve the homeland, for the protection of which they gave their most precious life! ”- reads the statement.

The signatories of the document are:

Eka Akobia — Dean of the School of Public Administration, Professor, Caucasus University

Giorgi Antadze — Geocase

Merab Antadze — Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Georgia, former State Minister of Georgia for Conflict Resolution and Reintegration

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

Salome Akubardia — former diplomat

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

Akia Barbakadze — Deputy Secretary of the National Security Council of Georgia 2016-18, Reservist Colonel

Nato Bachiashvili — International Institute for Geopolitical Studies Center

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

Otar Berdzenishvili — former Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Republics of Bulgaria and Macedonia

Giorgi Bilanishvili — former Director of the Department of Foreign Security Issues of the State Security and Crisis Management Council

Davit Bragvadze — Head of the Analytical Department of the National Security Council of Georgia 2014-18

Zaza Broladze — Deputy Minister of Defense of Georgia 2012-13

Giorgi Buachidze — Former diplomat

David Bujiashvili — Envoy Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary

Archil Gegeshidze — Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Georgia

Gigi Gigiadze — Senior Researcher, Economic Policy Research Center

Nikoloz (Nukri) Gogitidze — Acting Major General of Justice

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

Mikheil Darchiashvili — Former Deputy Minister of Defense of Georgia 2013-2014, Atlantic Council of Georgia

David Dondua — Center for European Union Awareness

David Davitashvili - Professor, Department of International Relations, Tbilisi State University

Zurab Eristavi - Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary

Nikoloz Vashakidze — former Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of Defense, Former Deputy Secretary of the Security Council

Merab Vashakidze — former diplomat, Envoy Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary

Ivane Zirakishvili — Lieutenant Colonel of the Reserve

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

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

Davit Kapanadze - former Senior Advisor to the Georgian Mission to the UN and Other International Organizations in Geneva

Irakli Laitadze - Professor at Ilia University

Shalva Lomidze - Head of the Georgian Intelligence Service 2021-2024, Retired Major General

Maryam Maisaia - Former Senior Advisor to the Permanent Mission of Georgia to the UN Office and Other International Organizations in Geneva

Ekaterine Megrelishvili - former diplomat

Giorgi Melashvili - Chairman of the European-Georgian Institute

Malkhaz Mikeladze - Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Georgia

Giorgi Muchaidze - former Deputy Minister of Defense of Georgia, Executive Director of the Atlantic Council of Georgia

Davit Nardaia - Envoy Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary

Davit Rakviashvili - Secretary of the National Security Council of Georgia 2017-18

Nikoloz Rtveliashvili — former diplomat, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary

Vasil Rubashvili — former diplomat and international relations specialist

Giorgi Rukhadze — Founder of the Georgian Center for Strategic Analysis, Director of European Studies

Davit Sikharulidze — former Minister of Defense of Georgia in 2008-2009, Former Ambassador of Georgia to the United States

Davit Solomoniani — Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary

Mikheil Ukleba — Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Georgia

Tengiz Pkhaladze — Former Advisor to the President of Georgia - Former Secretary of Foreign Affairs 2014-2018

Nino Pipia — former diplomat

Mirian Popkhadze — Senior Researcher at the Delphi Global Research Center

Nikoloz Kavtaradze — Former Director of the Defense Issues Department of the State Security and Crisis Management Council

Tamar Karseladze — former diplomat

Giorgi Kobelashvili - former diplomat

Batu Kutelia - former Ambassador of Georgia to the United States, Canada and Mexico, Senior Researcher at Delphi

Giorgi Karalashvili - Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary

Alexander Kipiani - former diplomat

Nodar Kharshiladze - Georgian Center for Strategic Analysis

Nikoloz Khatiashvili - former Head of the Office of the Foreign Relations Committee of the Georgian Parliament

Elguja Khokrishvili - Executive Director of the Center for Democracy, Geopolitics and Resilience

Tina Khidasheli - former Minister of Defense of Georgia, Head of Civil Idea

Shota Ghvineria - Center for Economic Policy Research

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

Tamar Chachibaia — former diplomat

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

Giorgi Chkheidze — former diplomat, Envoy Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary

Shalva Tsiskarashvili — Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Georgia

Carlo Tskitishvili — Expert in International Relations and Diplomatic Protocol

Giorgi Tskhvitava — Civil Council on Defense and Security Issues

Lasha Dzebisashvili — Professor at the University of Georgia

Giorgi Tsikarashvili — former diplomat

Zviad Chumburidze — Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Georgia

Giorgi Shaishmelashvili — former Head of the Defense Policy and Planning Department of the Ministry of Defense of Georgia

Thea Janashia — former diplomat

Temur Janjalia — former Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs

Gia Japaridze — Professor at the University of Georgia, Chargé d'Affaires of Georgia in Portugal, Cyprus, Greece