We went through the 2008 Russo-Georgian War, which could have been entirely avoided... In my assessment, it was initiated by foreign agents holding official status within the Georgian government-  Irakli Kobakhidze

"We went through the 2008 Russo-Georgian War, which could have been entirely avoided; however, there were forces whose interests were served by its outbreak. I hold a similar view regarding the war launched by Russia against Ukraine," stated Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze during a discussion at the Institute of International and European Affairs in Dublin—an event centered on the theme of Georgia's role in the European architecture.

As the Head of Government noted, there were influential individuals who did not want these wars to be prevented. "Of course, it was Russia that started the war against Ukraine. However, I believe that it was possible to avoid both the first and the second war in Ukraine. Clearly, Russia initiated these wars—unlike the war in Georgia, which, in my assessment, was started by foreign agents holding official status within the Georgian government. At the same time, I am convinced that all three wars could have been prevented—both the 2008 Russo-Georgian War and both Russo-Ukrainian wars. Unfortunately, there were influential individuals who did not want these wars to be avoided," stated Irakli Kobakhidze.