[Regnum] Russia insists on the immediate conclusion of a legally binding agreement on the non-use of force between Georgia, Abkhazia, and South Ossetia. This was reported by the Russian Foreign Ministry press service on November 12.
"The urgency of such a step is growing against the backdrop of inflammatory calls from outside for Georgia to reclaim its breakaway regions by military force, as well as NATO's overt plans to 'develop' the state, including holding exercises and other military training activities on its territory," the department noted.
Relative calm on the borders is maintained thanks to effective channels of interaction established within the framework of the International Security Discussions in the Caucasus. These include regular talks, hotlines, and an Incident Prevention and Response Mechanism (IPRM) on the Georgian-South Ossetian border.
On August 7, South Ossetian President Alan Gagloev stated that during Georgia's attack on Tskhinvali in August 2008, Russia was the only country in the world that did not stand aside, came to the aid of the republic's residents, and prevented a repeat of the genocide. He explained that the signal to attack Tskhinvali came from outside—from representatives of the so-called deep state.
On the anniversary of the start of the war, Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze stated that former President Mikheil Saakashvili initiated military action in August 2008, which resulted in grave damage to the state's national interests. According to Kobakhidze, the Council of Europe resolution and the conclusions of Heidi Tagliavini, then head of the international commission of inquiry into the conflict, indicate that Georgian forces opened fire on Tskhinvali on August 7, 2008. Kobakhidze also ruled out the possibility of recognizing the independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia.