Speaker: Turning blind eye to 2008 war led to 2014 and 2022 wars in Europe’s centre

“Today we pay tribute to those, who died as a result of the 2008 Russian aggression, to over 400 soldiers, police officers and civilians, more than 2000 injured and wounded people. This was a tragedy 15 years ago,” said Georgian Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili.

According to the Speaker, back in 2008, the international community chose to “turn a blind eye” to the Russian aggression against Georgia and not to impose sanctions on Russia, which led to the developments of 2014 in Crimea and the 2022 full-scale war in Ukraine.

“Instead of taking a strict stance on Russia, some engaged in a reset of relations with Russia, some in the construction of strategic pipelines, and some participated in military parades together with the Russian army at the Red Square. Georgia was too small and too distant. Turning a blind eye to the 2008 war resulted in the 2014 and 2022 wars in Ukraine and relocating the war from the edge to the centre of Europe.

Many countries now realize the essence of Russia’s aggressive policy, but now words are not enough. Action is needed now. Georgia has already fought its share of war, I understand that others may not want war, but it is their duty to stand by Ukraine so that it does not lose this war,” he said.

Fifteen years have passed since the August 2008 Russia-Georgia war. Georgia commemorates heroes who died in the fight for Georgia’s territorial integrity.