Georgian Parliament Speaker: August 12 symbolises both Didgori victory and 2008 political recklessness

Georgian Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili has drawn a sharp contrast between two defining events in Georgia’s history that took place on August 12 - the 1121 victory at Didgori and the 2008 agreement signed after Georgia’s defeat in the war with Russia.

In a social media message, Papuashvili stressed that August 12 is, on the one hand, the day of the Battle of Didgori victory, while on the other, it marks the signing of the 2008 ceasefire agreement, which he described as a symbol of “political recklessness, military defeat and evasion of responsibility”.

“On August 12, 1121, King David IV the Builder secured one of the greatest military victories in Georgian history on the Didgori battlefield. The victory paved the way for the reunification of the country, the liberation of Tbilisi and an era of Georgian state power. Eight hundred and eighty-seven years later, on August 12, 2008, Mikheil Saakashvili, who had frequently compared himself and his rule to the era of David the Builder, lost the war on Didgoroba Day and was forced to agree to a capitulatory six-point agreement with Russia. History has preserved the name of that document as well - the August 12 Agreement. This symbolic coincidence is particularly tragic: on August 12, David the Builder defeated Georgia’s enemies and paved the way for the country’s reunification. On that same day centuries later, Saakashvili left Georgia facing military defeat, the loss of additional territories and an expanded Russian occupation”, he said.

Papuashvili added that the August 12 Agreement was not a peace treaty concluded between two states on equal terms, but rather a document accepted by a government defeated in war on Russia’s terms, further undermining Georgia’s territorial integrity.

“The document did not identify Russia as the aggressor, nor did it provide clear guarantees for Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. It set no specific deadline for the withdrawal of Russian troops and contained no effective mechanism to enforce compliance with its provisions. Russia’s obligations were vague, while Georgia’s were specific and unequivocal. The outcome was predictable. Russia failed to comply with the agreement, maintained its military presence on Georgian territory, occupied the Akhalgori district and Kodori Gorge, and later recognized the so-called independence of Abkhazia and the so-called South Ossetia. As a result, Georgia lost control over additional territories, tens of thousands of people were displaced within their own country, and Russian military bases became entrenched in the occupied regions”, Papuashvili added.

The Speaker stressed that all of this was the outcome of a war that the Saakashvili government had for years portrayed as an inevitable act of historic heroism and a victory for Georgia.

“However, a state’s victory is not determined by television spectacle, flag-waving or celebrations staged by those in power. Victory is measured by the outcome: how effectively a country’s territory, citizens, peace and national interests are protected. In August 2008, Georgia failed to safeguard any of these objectives”, he said.

“The Saakashvili government first led the country into a grave military adventure, then suffered defeat on the battlefield and ultimately signed terms that failed to halt the new reality of Russian occupation. Most painfully, the government sought to shield its own mistakes behind the heroism and sacrifice of Georgian soldiers”, Papuashvili continued.

He further stressed that Georgian soldiers fought with dedication and sacrifice, emphasising that the defeat was not theirs but rather a failure of the political leadership - a government that led the country into war, failed to manage the conflict and ultimately failed to defend Georgia’s interests in bringing it to an end, adding that another painful aspect of this history was the international response.

“The European Union served as the mediator and guarantor of the August 12 Agreement. For Georgia, the fifth point was of particular importance, requiring Russian military forces to return to their previous positions. But what happened next? Was real pressure exerted on Russia? Were sanctions imposed? Was trade suspended? Were political and economic ties restricted? No. On the contrary, a “reset” in relations between the West and Russia soon began. Extensive economic cooperation continued, and the Nord Stream pipelines were built. On May 9, 2010, Russian and European soldiers were even seen taking part in the same military parade on Red Square”, he noted.

“Georgia, meanwhile, faced a very different reality: an arms embargo, harsh international assessments over responsibility for the war, pressure to consent to Russia’s accession to the World Trade Organization, and the darkest years of an increasingly repressive regime. What was this, if not punishment for Georgia and a swift return to the old pattern of relations with Russia?” Papuashvili continued.

He added that, despite everything - the capitulation within three days, the abandoned soldiers, the notorious tie-chewing incident, the shameful images from Gori, and celebrations on Rustaveli Avenue while the Catholicos-Patriarch of Georgia personally went to the war zone to help evacuate fallen soldiers and assist civilians - Georgian soldiers did not surrender the country’s dignity.

“There is no struggle for Georgia without heroes, dedication and sacrifice. This war gave us the heroes of Shindisi, Gela Chedia, the Kverelashvili brothers, Giorgi Antsukhelidze and dozens, even hundreds, of other heroes. They preserved Georgia’s dignity, defended the legacy of Didgori with their own blood, and left us with the conviction that we must never reconcile ourselves to defeat, betrayal or injustice. Therefore, August 12 carries two entirely different historical meanings”, Papushvili stressed.

“On the one hand, it is the Day of Victory at Didgori - a symbol of prudent state policy, sound military strategy, heroic sacrifice and national unity. On the other, it is the day the 2008 capitulatory agreement was signed - a symbol of political recklessness, military defeat and an attempt to evade responsibility”, he added.

The Speaker further highlighted that David the Builder united Georgia through his victory at Didgori, while Saakashvili lost the war on Didgoroba Day and left the country with an expanded Russian occupation.

“This is the historical reality that neither propaganda nor attempts to portray a lost war as a victory can change. History is ruthless. The documents remain, the results remain, and so does the memory of the people. Glory to the heroes who fell for Georgia! Glory to all those for whom the sacred name of Didgori is dear!” Papuashvili concluded.