What do present day Georgians think about the August, 2008 war? How did this war affect Russia, Georgia and the whole region? Was it possible to avoid the war? What are the perspectives of the bilateral relations? These questions the VK correspondent asked Georgian politicians and experts.
Zurab Abashidze, former Georgian ambassador to Russia
This war was harmful for the whole region. It caused instability and uncertainty. It was a great blow for the European security. These was damaged the reputation of both Russia and Georgia. No one managed to gain something in the result, the war disastrous for both side, and for Georgia especially.
Van Bayburt, the leader of the Armenian diaspora in Georgia
It was almost impossible to avoid this war. It was planned in Russia and initiated by Russia. The irony is that Russia didn’t need this war. It was only Russian political elite, who did.
The war of August 2008 should be considered as an occupation of our territories by Russia. This has complicated the process of re-integration of Georgia. However, I believe that the future re-union of Georgia, Abkhazia and South Ossetia is inevitable.
Iosif Tsyntsadze, political analyst
Georgia is recovering from the tragedy of the August 2008. Otherwise, Russia is unable to recover from its losses. Russia's reputation was badly damaged. Russia didn’t manage to assure the world that what happened in Ossetia was not an occupation. Russian aggression is obvious.
Yelene Tevdoradze, the Deputy Minister for Re-integration
It wasn’t possible to avoid this war. I was there two years ago and I saw how the Ossetian forces were bombarding Georgian villages. We didn’t open fire, but Russia has intervened anyway. What we have to do now is to continue the talks with Abkhazia and South Ossetia.
