“Today marks 17 years since the start of the 2008 Russia-Georgia war. We remember those who sacrificed themselves in this war and also all internally displaced persons who were forced to abandon their homes due to Russian aggression,” British Ambassador to Georgia Gareth Ward stated in a video address.

According to the ambassador, the United Kingdom continues to call on Russia to respect the August 2008 ceasefire agreement.

“Our support for Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity remains unwavering. This August marks one year since I began my duties as Her Majesty’s Ambassador to Georgia. During this period, I visited the village of Ergneti, which is located near the administrative boundary line with South Ossetia, and also visited the Enguri Bridge, which crosses the Rioni River toward Abkhazia. I had the opportunity to speak directly with people affected by the conflict, with Women Ambassadors for Peace who live in villages near the administrative line, as well as with young people from the Gali region. I witnessed firsthand the impact of the war-divided society on people’s daily lives.

For more than 30 years, the United Kingdom has worked with Georgia toward peaceful conflict resolution and preventing escalation. The UK wants to see a successful, united Georgia that can freely choose its security partners. We regret Georgia’s government’s criticism of European efforts to restrain Russian aggression in Ukraine and Europe,” Gareth Ward added.

It has been 17 years since the 2008 Russo-Georgian War. On August 7, 2008, separatist forces commenced intense shelling of Georgian villages, prompting a response from Georgian forces. The following day, Russian occupation troops entered the region. As a result of Russia’s military aggression against Georgia, 411 people lost their lives, approximately 130,000 citizens became IDPs in their own country, numerous villages were destroyed, and the city of Gori, along with strategic facilities, were heavily bombed. Russia continues to occupy 20 per cent of Georgia’s territory to this day.