Fifteen years have passed since the Russo-Georgian War, which began with Russia’s involvement in the conflicts that started in the Republic of South Ossetia in 2008. The idea of annexing South Ossetia and Abkhazia to the Russian Federation, which came to the agenda again after the Ukrainian War, is an indication that border disputes in the post-Soviet geography are proceeding on the same line with events such as the Ukrainian War and the Karabakh War.
In her statement on the 15th anniversary of the war, Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili said that she wanted to ensure the territorial integrity of her country through peace but that Russia was an aggressor and invader and had unlawfully occupied 20% of the Georgian territory for 15 years. 1 At the same time, Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili accused the then Prime Minister Mikhail Saakashvili of provoking Russia and pursuing unwise policies.2 South Ossetian Foreign Minister Ahsar Dzhioev said in his statement that Russia did the right thing and is the security guarantor of the Caucasus.3
The year 2008 was a significant turning point in international politics. The Russo-Georgian War revealed the complexity of territorial disputes, ethnic tensions, and great power dynamics. This conflict, also known as the 2008 South Ossetian War or the Five-Day War, had profound effects on regional and international politics. It reminded us how fragile peace is in the post-Soviet geography.
The roots of the Russo-Georgian War lie in long-standing tensions with Georgia, especially between separatist regions such as South Ossetia and Abkhazia. These regions declared independence from Georgia in the early 1990s, leading to unresolved conflicts for years. In August 2008, the situation in the region escalated when Georgia launched an operation to regain control over South Ossetia, and Russia’s military response was the move that determined the fate of the conflict in question.
This war has profound effects on regional dynamics in the Caucasus. It has shown us that international solution efforts are insufficient, and other frozen conflicts in the region may reignite. Russia’s recognition of the independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia has led to the deterioration of its relations with Georgia and Georgia’s departure from the Commonwealth of Independent States. It has also increased concerns in post-Soviet countries with separatist movements such as Ukraine and Moldova. At the same time, the war has exposed the fragility of post-Soviet borders and demonstrated how historical ethnic tensions can be manipulated to serve geopolitical interests.
The Russo-Georgian War has caused intense debates and reactions on the international stage. It has revealed the weaknesses of post-Cold War security arrangements, including the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). Georgia’s NATO membership goal, encouraged by Western countries, created new uncertainties during the conflict. The West’s reaction to the war resurfaced existing disagreements and conflicts of interest between Russia and the West.
The United States (USA) and Europe condemned Russia’s actions, supported Georgia, and emphasized the principle of territorial integrity. In contrast, Russia defended its intervention by citing the concept of human rights intervention (R2P) on the grounds of defending Russian citizens and interests. While Russia recognized the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, Kosovo also declared its independence in the same year. Kosovo, which announced its separation from Serbia, Russia’s ally in the Balkans, caused tension between Western countries and Russia in the context of international law. Western countries’ respect of Kosovo’s self-determination, despite their view of Abkhazia and South Ossetia as Georgian territory, was interpreted as “hypocrisy” by Russia. The war also demonstrated Russia’s desire to manifest its military might and influence in its immediate surroundings. This has become a turning point in Russia’s foreign policy. Moscow has moved away from its post-Soviet timidity and set about re-increasing its power on the international stage.
The war has highlighted the insufficiencies of existing security structures and revealed the need for a more comprehensive approach to conflict resolution. Again, these conflicts have shown us that the European Union (EU) and other regional organizations are inadequate in their efforts to alleviate conflicts in their own backyard. It has also demonstrated the limits of international platforms, such as the United Nations, to manage crises effectively. After the war, Georgia’s territorial integrity remained a matter of debate, and Russia continued its military presence in the separatist regions. This war was a striking example of the unpredictability of military conflicts in the post-Cold War era. Finally, the Russia-Georgia War has indicated that a local conflict can quickly escalate into a larger geopolitical conflict, cause great human suffering, and further fuel regional instability
1 “Gürcistan Cumhurbaşkanı Zurabişvili: Rusya Topraklarımızın Yüzde 20’sini İşgal Altında Tutuyor”, AA, https://www.aa.com.tr/tr/dunya/gurcistan-cumhurbaskani-zurabisvili-rusya-topraklarimizin-yuzde-20sini-isgal-altinda-tutuyor/2963520, (Erişim Tarihi: 19.08.2023).
2 Aynı yer.
3 “Çeviri: On beş yıllık güvenlik: Rusya, Güney Osetya İçin Güvenilir Bir Barış Garantörüdür”, Ria, https://ria.ru/20230808/osetiya-1888768543.html?in=t, (Erişim Tarihi: 19.08.2023).
