Georgia’s Vice Speaker claims ex-president Saakashvili orchestrated 2008 war scenario

Georgian Parliament’s First Vice Speaker, Gia Volski, has accused former President Mikheil Saakashvili of playing a decisive role in the 2008 Russia-Georgia war, claiming that he facilitated the unfolding of events that led to the occupation.

“Of course, Russia carried out an intervention and continues its occupation. However, it was undoubtedly Saakashvili who made this scenario a reality; otherwise, he would not have signed that treacherous act,” Volski stated.

He argued that while all parties involved—Russia, Saakashvili, and even separatist forces—benefited in some way, the real losers were the Georgian people, Abkhazians, Ossetians, and Georgia as a whole.

Volski raised critical questions about the government’s actions in August 2008, questioning why Georgian authorities did not warn civilians about the imminent war or seek international intervention in time.

“Why did Georgian foreign and state ministers insist until August 8 that no Russian intervention was expected? Why were government agencies ordered to remain silent? Why was there no emergency appeal to the UN Security Council?” he asked.

Volski also accused Saakashvili of contradicting himself by first acknowledging Russia’s invasion on August 8. Later, in October 2008, he officially signed a document stating that Moscow had acted in response to Georgian aggression.

“Either they were in a complete information vacuum, which is impossible, or they deliberately committed a crime,” Volski said.

He called for further investigation into the events leading up to the war: “Where was this scenario written? Or were there two scenarios, and Saakashvili conveniently adapted to both?”