Russia 'Should Withdraw And Stop Occupying Georgia’s Territory', U.S. Says

Washington D.C./08.08.23/Turan:​ ​ The United States on Monday urged Russia to "withdraw and stop occupying Georgia’s territory," as the State Department Spokesperson put it, TURAN's Washington correspondent reports.

"We will continue to make clear our support for that policy," Spokesperson Matt Miller told a daily briefing when responding to TURAN's questions about the fifteen years anniversary of the Russia-Georgia war.

Earlier in the day, Secretary Antony Blinken issued a statement reiterating Washington's "steadfast support" for Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders.​

"The lives of the conflict-affected populations have forever been altered by Russia’s actions.​ With deepest respect and heartfelt sympathy, we remember those killed, injured, and displaced by Russia’s forces," Blinken noted.

The Secretary went on to add, "Russia’s actions during its occupation, including the Kremlin’s malign disinformation campaigns, so-called “borderization,” and mass displacement still cause untold hardships.​ As in Ukraine, the people of Georgia have suffered the consequences of Russia’s contempt for international law and desire to dominate its neighbors."

Blinken also noted that the U.S. remained 'determined' to hold Russia accountable for its obligation under the 2008 six-point ceasefire agreement to withdraw its forces to pre-conflict positions and allow unimpeded access for the delivery of humanitarian assistance.​

"Russia must also reverse its recognition of the so-called independence of Georgia’s Abkhazia and South Ossetia regions.​ These actions are essential for hundreds of thousands of internally displaced people to be able to return to their homes safely and live with dignity," he added.

With respect to holding Russia accountable, Miller told TURAN's correspondent that the U.S. had "a very strong record to point to."

The spokesperson went on to elaborate: "... if you look at the sanctions that we have imposed on Russia since the outset of the Ukraine war – and yes, those are in response to the invasion of Ukraine – those have degraded Russia’s military capacity.​ They have hurt Russia’s economy.​ They have targeted critical sectors inside Russia that it uses to project power overseas."

Asked if Washington were considering the Zelenskyy peace formula on Ukraine as a template for Georgia, Miller refrained from offering comparisons between the two issues.

Alex Raufoglu