Four European Countries Warn Moscow Against Annexing South Ossetia

Paul Goble

            Staunton, Aug. 7 – On the 18^th anniversary of Russia’s war against Georgia as a result of which Abkhazia and South Ossetia became partially recognized states, Great Britain, France, Germany and Italy have warned Moscow against annexing South Ossetia, something that has appeared increasingly likely in recent months.

            The four warn that such a step “will not remain unanswered” and demand that Russia live up to the ceasefire agreement that ended the 2008 war and withdraw its military forces from South Ossetia and Abkhazia (echofm.online/news/evropejskie-strany-zayavili-ob-ugroze-polnomasshtabnoj-anneksii-yuzhnoj-osetii-rossiej).

            This move has less to do with the anniversary of the Russian-Georgian war than with the fact that in May, Russia and South Ossetia took steps which many observers around the world view as moves that will result in the annexation of South Ossetia, a step that appears to have become more possible given what has happened in Ukraine since that time.

            The four also welcome the decision of the Naoero Republic as Nauru has been officially known since June to end its recognition of South Ossetia and Abkhazia. After its decision, only three other countries – Nicaragua, Venezuelaand Syria – besides the Russian Federation continue to recognize the two North Caucasian republics as independent.

            For background on Russia’s decision not to annex South Ossetia up to now, see windowoneurasia2.blogspot.com/2026/06/even-though-moscow-has-not-yet-annexed.html, windowoneurasia2.blogspot.com/2024/06/russian-military-base-in-south-ossetia.html and windowoneurasia2.blogspot.com/2023/08/both-moscow-and-tsinkhval-have-reasons.html.