Medvedev: After the conflict in Georgia, the West learned from its "shortcomings."

Published: 25 June 2026

Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council Dmitry Medvedev stated that in 2008, Western countries used Georgia as a tool to pressure Russia, and after the armed conflict ended, they learned from their mistakes.

Speaking at the St. Petersburg International Legal Forum, Medvedev said that after the collapse of the Soviet Union, the West, in his opinion, acted against Russia through "puppet regimes." Among these states, he mentioned Georgia, which, according to the Russian politician, launched military action against Abkhazia and South Ossetia in August 2008.

Speaking about Western countries' reactions to the events of those years, Medvedev noted that the US and European countries did not directly intervene in the conflict at the time. According to him, this allowed the parties to avoid further escalation. However, the Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council stated that the West subsequently reconsidered its approach.

"It must be acknowledged that Europe and the United States wisely avoided engaging in conflict back then, and we agreed to what's called a bad peace. But, unfortunately, on the other hand, they didn't quench their thirst for blood, and they took into account their shortcomings," Medvedev concluded.

Последние новости

Human rights

Russia urged to prosecute those who ordered Anna Politkovskaya’s murder

7 October 2026

On the 20th anniversary of the murder of Novaya Gazeta journalist Anna Politkovskaya, representatives of 32 countries called on the Russian authorities to identify everyone involved in the crime and end pressure on independent media.

The statement was issued by the Media Freedom Coalition. It was signed by representatives of the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, Canada, Ukraine, Australia, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Chile, Japan, Spain and other countries.

Politics

Aliyev: Armenia Must Reveal the Fates of Missing Azerbaijanis

7 October 2026

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev considers determining the fates of missing persons to be one of the state's most important issues. He stated this in an address to participants of the 4th International Conference on Missing Persons, currently taking place in Baku.

Human rights

20th Anniversary of Anna Politkovskaya’s Murder: The Person Who Ordered the Crime Remains Unidentified

7 October 2026

October 7 marks the 20th anniversary of the murder of *Novaya Gazeta* journalist Anna Politkovskaya. While the courts have identified the perpetrators and organizers of the crime, the person who ordered the killing has never been named. The statute of limitations for the case expired in 2021—fifteen years after the murder took place.

Politics

Saakashvili calls for closing Georgia's border with Russia over plague reports

7 October 2026

Former Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili has urged the country's authorities to close the border with Russia and ban Russian citizens from entering. He outlined his position on Facebook from custody, commenting on reports regarding the death of an employee at the Irkutsk Anti-Plague Institute.