Behind me is the territory of Georgia, not of Russia, David Kramer, Director of Global Policy at the George W. Bush Institute and former US Assistant Secretary of State, stated while standing near the occupation line in the village of Odzi.

Kramer pledged continued support for Georgia on its democratic and Western-oriented path and stressed the significance of holding Russia accountable for its aggression.

Regarding the perception that Georgia is not of interest to the West, Kramer pointed out that Russia’s aggression began in Georgia 15 years ago and has continued, notably in Ukraine. He affirmed that until Georgia regains control over its entire territory, the international community has a responsibility to exert pressure on Moscow.

Kramer’s remarks were made in the context of the upcoming 7th Tbilisi International Conference titled Defeating Putinism organized by the McCain Institute for International Leadership, the George W. Bush Institute, and the Center for Economic Policy Research. The conference aims to address issues related to Russian aggression and its impact on regional security and stability.