On 7 August 2026, the European External Action Service (EEAS) issued a statement marking 18 years since the outbreak of the 2008 war between Russia and Georgia, condemning Russia's ongoing military presence in the breakaway regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia and its attempts to de facto integrate them into Russia's regulatory and security space. The statement, released by the EEAS Press Team, reiterates the EU's condemnation of Russia's recognition of the two regions and declares that the so-called "Agreement on Deepening Allied Cooperation" signed on 9 May between Moscow and Tskhinvali, as well as the appointment of a Russian official as "Acting President" of South Ossetia, have no validity under international law.
The statement highlights that for 18 years, local communities have endured humanitarian challenges and human rights violations, including restrictions on freedom of movement and illegal detentions, while obstacles preventing internally displaced persons and refugees from returning to their homes persist. The EU reaffirms its unwavering support for Georgia's independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders.
The EU remains committed to peaceful conflict resolution through its role as co-chair in the Geneva International Discussions (GID), the work of the EU Special Representative for the South Caucasus and the crisis in Georgia, and the continued presence of the EU Monitoring Mission (EUMM Georgia) as the sole international monitoring mission on the ground. The statement urges all GID participants to engage constructively to achieve full implementation of the 12 August 2008 six-point agreement and subsequent 8 September 2008 implementing measures.
The statement comes amid heightened tensions in the region, following Russia's recent moves to deepen its control over the breakaway territories. The EU's position underscores a persistent cleavage between the EU's support for Georgia's territorial integrity and Russia's actions to consolidate its influence, a divergence that has shaped the conflict's trajectory for nearly two decades. The EU's continued engagement through the GID and EUMM reflects its preference for diplomatic and monitoring mechanisms over military involvement, a stance that has drawn both praise for its commitment to peaceful resolution and criticism from some Georgian officials who seek a more assertive international response to Russia's actions.
The statement's impact is most significant for the local communities in Abkhazia and South Ossetia, who face ongoing humanitarian and human rights challenges, and for Georgia's government, which relies on international support to counter Russia's integration efforts. For the EU, the statement reinforces its role as a key mediator in the conflict, though its influence is limited by Russia's refusal to engage constructively in the GID. The EU's commitment to the six-point agreement and its monitoring mission provides a tangible, if modest, counterbalance to Russia's presence, but the lack of progress in the GID highlights the limitations of diplomatic approaches in the face of Russia's unilateral actions.