16 Years After Russian Invasion, U.S. Reiterates Support For Georgia's Territorial Integrity

The United States on Wednesday reiterated its strong support for Georgia's sovereignty and territorial integrity as the country marks the 16th anniversary of Russian invasion even as its ruling party, Georgian Dream. appears to be aligning more closely with Moscow, TURAN's Washington correspondent reports.

"To this day, Russia continues to occupy 20 percent of Georgia’s territory and impose its will on the people there, including by claiming the transfer of strategically important lands in Abkhazia to Russia and taking steps to establish a permanent naval base in Ochamchire," Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement.

Washington remains steadfast in support of Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders, he added.

"We call on Russia to fulfill its commitments and obligations under the 2008 ceasefire agreement to withdraw its forces to pre-conflict positions and allow unimpeded access for the delivery of humanitarian assistance.  We also call on Russia to reverse its recognition of the so-called independence of Georgia’s Abkhazia and South Ossetia regions.  These actions would allow tens of thousands of internally displaced people to return to their homes safely," Blinken noted.

The Secretary went on to add that the U.S’ support for the people of Georgia in their pursuit of a Euro-Atlantic future and a peaceful solution to the conflict "is enduring."

Blinken's comments came as Georgia's ruling party issued a statement Wednesday morning accusing the opposition party, which was in power at the time of the Russian invasion in 2008, of “hypocritical PR campaign” around the war, and blamed it for “treacherous crimes” resulting in the “worst consequences.”

When asked by TURAN's correspondent whether Washington believed that the Russian invasion of Georgia was unprovoked, State Department's spokesperson Matthew Miller said the following:  "I think the Secretary’s statement today was actually quite clear, that this was an illegal invasion by Russia and continues to be an illegal occupation by Russia.  And of course, the steps that they are trying to take to continue to claim territory are completely without justification."