Russia Rejects Compensation to Georgia Over 2008 War
Moscow will not adhere to a European court ruling ordering it to pay $292 million in compensation for alleged violations since the 2008 conflict.
Russia has announced its non-compliance with a recent European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) ruling that ordered Moscow to pay Georgia approximately $300 million in compensation for violations committed following their 2008 war.
The Kremlin's decision comes despite the ECHR's uphold of Georgia's complaints on Tuesday, which required Russia to compensate just over 253 million euros ($292 million) in damages.
The conflict in 2008 erupted after Tbilisi launched an assault against pro-Moscow separatist forces, which Georgia claimed were shelling its villages.
Subsequently, Russia occupied areas of northern and western Georgia, comprising nearly one-fifth of the country, where it installed puppet governments that prevented the return of ethnic Georgian citizens.
According to Georgia, this included blocking the teaching of the Georgian language in schools.
Russia's stance has been firm; Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated, "We will not adhere to the ruling".
Although Russia withdrew from the Council of Europe following its 2022 invasion of Ukraine, the ECHR maintains that it remains responsible for violations committed prior to that time.
This is not an isolated instance, as Moscow has a history of disregarding ECHR rulings, even while it was still a member.
Georgia severed official diplomatic relations with Russia after their conflict but has recently attempted to improve ties, a move criticized by the Georgian opposition.
When questioned about the potential impact on these diplomatic efforts, Peskov replied that it is a "separate matter".
Russia continues to recognize Abkhazia and South Ossetia as independent territories, whereas most of the international community views them as part of Georgia.
The Kremlin's decision comes despite the ECHR's uphold of Georgia's complaints on Tuesday, which required Russia to compensate just over 253 million euros ($292 million) in damages.
The conflict in 2008 erupted after Tbilisi launched an assault against pro-Moscow separatist forces, which Georgia claimed were shelling its villages.
Subsequently, Russia occupied areas of northern and western Georgia, comprising nearly one-fifth of the country, where it installed puppet governments that prevented the return of ethnic Georgian citizens.
According to Georgia, this included blocking the teaching of the Georgian language in schools.
Russia's stance has been firm; Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated, "We will not adhere to the ruling".
Although Russia withdrew from the Council of Europe following its 2022 invasion of Ukraine, the ECHR maintains that it remains responsible for violations committed prior to that time.
This is not an isolated instance, as Moscow has a history of disregarding ECHR rulings, even while it was still a member.
Georgia severed official diplomatic relations with Russia after their conflict but has recently attempted to improve ties, a move criticized by the Georgian opposition.
When questioned about the potential impact on these diplomatic efforts, Peskov replied that it is a "separate matter".
Russia continues to recognize Abkhazia and South Ossetia as independent territories, whereas most of the international community views them as part of Georgia.
