The same imperial mindset that attacked Georgia in 2008 is driving Russia’s brutal war against Ukraine today, Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kestutis Budrys writes on social media.

He calls for sustained international pressure on Russia to end its occupation and uphold international law.

“18 years ago, Russia’s war against Georgia revealed the true face of Kremlin imperialism. Today, Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali region remain under Russian occupation, international commitments remain unfulfilled, and human rights abuses continue.

Occupation. Displacement. Violations of international law. The same imperial mindset that attacked Georgia in 2008 is driving Russia’s brutal war against Ukraine today.

Lithuania stands firmly with the Georgian people. We support Georgia’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and European future, and call for sustained international pressure on Russia to end its occupation and uphold international law.

Georgia’s future lies in the democratic choices and the European aspirations of its people. The greatest threat to that future remains Russia’s occupation and its continued attempts to undermine Georgia’s sovereignty and independent course”, reads the statement.