Kobakhidze declares that August 8 holds a tragic connotation, referring to a deception carried out by the past administration.
Seventeen years ago, the August War between Russia and Georgia took place, resulting in the tragic loss of 476 lives, including 170 from the Georgian Ministry of Defense, 14 from the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and 224 civilians. The war, which began on August 7-8, 2008, rapidly escalated into a Russian invasion and occupation of South Ossetia and Abkhazia, causing thousands of deaths and displacement.
On the anniversary of this tragic event, Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze of the Georgian Dream party commemorated the fallen heroes at the Mukhatgverdi Brothers Cemetery. Addressing journalists, Kobakhidze referred to August 8 as a "tragic date" and a "betrayal" that occurred during a previous government's tenure. He emphasised the importance of remembering each of the 476 individuals who died in the August 2008 war, including the heroic soldiers who defended Georgia's dignity.
Kobakhidze reiterated the Georgian Dream party's commitment to defending Georgia's independence to prevent similar events from recurring. He stated that the sovereign government's duty is to protect Georgia's independence, ensure peace, and safeguard national interests. The Prime Minister emphasised the importance of resisting external influence, a theme he has emphasised in the past without specifically naming any particular external power.
The current Georgian government's stance on the anniversary of the August War is to commemorate the fallen soldiers while placing responsibility for provoking the conflict on the previous United National Movement government under Mikheil Saakashvili. Although most of Georgian society and pro-Western factions blame Russia for aggression and occupation, the Georgian Dream leadership emphasises the role of the former government in starting the war, marking the anniversary as a tragic reminder of that period.
Internationally, including from the European Union, statements on the anniversary reaffirm support for Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, condemn Russia’s ongoing military presence and violations in the occupied regions, and call for peaceful conflict resolution consistent with international law and the 2008 ceasefire agreements.
As the nation remembers the tragic events of the August War, the commitment to independence and sovereignty remains steadfast, with the Georgian Dream party leading the charge in defence of the country's interests.
In the realm of politics and general news, discussions surrounding the anniversary of the August War between Georgia and Russia in 2008 remain pertinent, with the Georgian Dream party highlighting the importance of remembering the fallen soldiers and reaffirming their commitment to upholding Georgia's independence to prevent future conflicts. The European Union, in international politics, has condemned Russia's ongoing military presence in the occupied regions and called for peaceful conflict resolution consistent with international law and the 2008 ceasefire agreements.
