Shpakovsky: Saakashvili's policy in 2008 became trigger for outbreak of war

The confrontation between Georgia and the unrecognized republic of South Ossetia has reached its peak. Border skirmishes between the parties on August 8 escalated into a real military conflict. Several hours after the ceasefire agreement was signed, Georgian artillery and aviation launched massive strikes on the South Ossetian capital of Tskhinvali. The main target is the Russian peacekeepers' base. Then follows the storming of the city by Georgian armored vehicles and infantry.

Alexander Shpakovsky, member of the House of Representatives of the National Assembly of Belarus:

"Saakashvili's policy became the trigger for the outbreak of war, because he set the task for his armed forces, special services, and society to solve the problem of frozen conflicts - Georgian-South Ossetian and Georgian-Abkhazian - by military means. This was one of the core ideas of President Saakashvili's state governance."

As a result of the bombing and shelling, hundreds of administrative buildings and residential buildings were destroyed. Civilians who did not have time to leave the city took refuge in basements. Among the dead were both Russian peacekeepers and civilians. Hundreds were wounded. Russian President Dmitry Medvedev gave the order to send troops into South Ossetia. Official Tbilisi regards this step as a foreign invasion.

Alexander Shpakovsky, member of the House of Representatives of the National Assembly of Belarus:

"We understand that they were hitting South Ossetia, a small, tiny region with a population of just over 50,000, but they were aiming at Russia. That's the point. That's why Russia took certain measures to protect its interests, to protect the legitimate rights of the South Ossetian people."

The result of the five-day operation "to force Georgia to peace" is the destruction of the main objects of Georgia's military infrastructure.

On August 12, Dmitry Medvedev announced the end of the operation.

Dmitry Medvedev, President of the Russian Federation (2008 - 2012):

"The operation, which was conducted by the reinforced Russian peacekeeping contingent, has been completed due to the fact that the goal we set for ourselves has been achieved."

If it were not for Russia, Saakashvili would have achieved a military victory and the genocide of the South Ossetians, Alexander Shpakovsky believes. "They should have gone to North Ossetia in the best case. In the worst case, there would have simply been ethnic cleansing," he suggested. "Fortunately, this did not happen." The goal has been achieved - the security of the peacekeeping forces and the civilian population has been restored. And Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili has announced that the country is leaving the CIS.