Bidzina Ivanishvili, Georgia’s most powerful man, has proposed that the country apologize to the Ossetians for the 2008 war with Russia.
This conflict led to Russia recognizing South Ossetia and Abkhazia as independent states, a status not acknowledged by most of the world.
Ivanishvili, a billionaire and former prime minister, attributed the war to the “criminal regime” of ex-President Mikheil Saakashvili, who allegedly acted on behalf of foreign powers.
He promised that those responsible would face justice after the October 26 election and that Georgians would then apologize for the war.
This statement sparked controversy, with Saakashvili’s party calling it a “national shame” that serves Russia’s interests.
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Georgia, a small mountainous country, is strategically courted by the West, Russia, and China, and its upcoming election has placed the country at a crossroads.
The 2008 war was sparked by Georgia’s attack on South Ossetia’s Tskhinvali, which led to Russia’s overwhelming response.
An EU-commissioned report found that Georgia triggered the war, but Russia’s response exceeded reasonable limits.
Ivanishvili’s suggestion to apologize for the war has ignited debate, with some seeing it as a step towards reconciliation and others as a betrayal of national interests.
As Georgia navigates its geopolitical position, the apology proposal has become a contentious issue in the upcoming election.
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