UN Security Council current and incoming members call on Russia to withdraw troops from Georgia and reverse recognition of occupied regions

The UN Security Council held a closed-door meeting to discuss the situation in Georgia’s Russian-occupied territories and the Russia-Georgia conflict, marking the 18th anniversary of the 2008 Russia-Georgia war, Georgia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.

According to the ministry, UN Assistant Secretary-General for Europe, Asia, the Americas, the Middle East and the Pacific, Mohamed Khaled Khiari, briefed Council members on the latest developments on the ground and the Geneva International Discussions.

Following the meeting, representatives of Security Council members the United Kingdom, France, Latvia, Denmark and Greece, together with representatives of incoming Council members Austria and Portugal, issued a joint statement to the media.

“The representatives of the above-mentioned countries noted in their statement that 18 years have passed since Russia’s full-scale military aggression and subsequent illegal occupation of Georgian territories, Abkhazia and Tskhinvali regions. Russia’s invasion of Georgia in August 2008 marked the beginning of Russia’s more aggressive policy toward its neighbors. Russia continues on this path with its unprovoked and unjustified aggression against Ukraine and its irresponsible and dangerous actions against neighboring countries.

The statement strongly supports Georgia’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders. The brutal invasion and continued illegal military presence of Russian military forces in Georgia in violation of the UN Charter, as well as the implementation of effective control and the steps taken towards the annexation of the two regions, including the so-called agreement signed between Russia and the Tskhinvali occupation regime on May 9, 2026, are condemned.

The countries welcomed the decision of the Republic of Nauru to withdraw its recognition of the “Republic of Abkhazia” and “Republic of South Ossetia” as independent states and to sever diplomatic relations with them. In addition, they called on those states that have recognized the so-called occupied regions of Georgia. independence, follow Nauru’s example and respect Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity within internationally recognized borders.

In a statement, the representatives of the countries condemned the continued provocations, militarization, illegal air, sea and rail traffic in the occupied territories of Georgia by the Russian Federation and violations of security and human rights on the ground.

Also, the decisions of the international courts were recalled, which repeatedly confirmed the responsibility of the Russian Federation as an implementer of effective control on the ground for serious violations of human rights, including killings of civilians, acts of torture, inhuman and degrading treatment, and others.

The document notes with deep concern the fact that Russia has not fulfilled its obligations under the EU-brokered cease-fire agreement of August 12, 2008, to withdraw its forces to pre-hostilities lines and to ensure the unhindered access of international human rights monitoring mechanisms, such as the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights.

The joint statement also emphasized the need to protect the rights of internally displaced persons and refugees and the importance of creating conditions for their safe, dignified and smooth return.

According to the statement, the countries remain committed to the Geneva International Negotiations (GID) and support the continuation of meetings on incident prevention and response mechanisms in Ergnet, while calling for the immediate resumption of the Gali meetings.

The participants of the statement once again call on Russia to fully fulfill its obligations under the 2008 ceasefire agreement and immediately withdraw its troops from the territory of Georgia. They also call on Russia to withdraw the recognition of the independence of the two regions of Georgia, not to interfere with the creation of international security mechanisms on the ground, and to allow international human rights defenders and humanitarian organizations in both regions,” the information reads.

The statement concluded by emphasizing the need for a peaceful resolution of the Russia-Georgia conflict based on international law, including the UN Charter and the Helsinki Final Act.