Day: August 7, 2025
Categories
Moscow Calling – August 7
TASS: Putin and Trump agree to meet in “coming days”
Russia and the U.S. have reached a preliminary agreement on a meeting between Presidents Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump in the coming days, TASS reports, citing Russian Presidential Aide Yuri Ushakov. According to Ushakov, preparations for the summit have commenced at the behest of the American side, encompassing the selection of a venue. According to The New York Times and CNN, Trump is hoping for a prompt in-person meeting with Putin, followed by negotiations with Zelenskyy (TASS).
Intended effect:
The material conveys the message of Russia’s high diplomatic status, emphasizing that Moscow is becoming one of the centers of negotiations on Ukraine. The propaganda emphasis is on the initiative of the U.S., which should strengthen the internal perception of Russia as an equal and necessary partner in international affairs.
RIA: European Commission removes pro-Russian leaders
In an article published on RIA Novosti, political analyst Dmitry Bavyrin claims that the European Union, under the leadership of the European Commission, is deliberately conducting a campaign to oust pro-Russian regional leaders in Europe. In this context, the conviction of Evghenia Gutul, bashkan (leader) of Gagauzia, and the removal of Milorad Dodik from power are seen as part of Brussels’ supranational strategy to dismantle autonomies that impede the accession of Moldova and Bosnia to NATO. The author insists that the allegations brought against the politicians are entirely politically motivated, aimed to suppress self-government and dissent in Eastern European countries (ria.ru).
Intended effect:
The material shapes the perception of the EU as an aggressive structure that suppresses autonomous regions and pro-Russian forces in the context of geopolitical confrontation with Moscow.
EADaily: Kyiv to begin exhumation of UIA fighters in Poland in September
Ukraine plans to begin exhuming the remains of Ukrainians buried in Poland in September 2025, EADaily reports, citing Deputy Minister of Culture of Ukraine Andrii Nadzhos. According to him, these burials were carried out in violation of norms. In particular, he mentioned the village of Jureczkowa, where, according to the Polish portal Kresy, 17 Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UIA) fighters who were liquidated by the Polish Home Army during World War II are buried. “We plan to make a preparatory visit in mid-August and want to start excavations in September. We want to finish before the rainy season,” Nadzhos said. According to Gazeta.ru, the initiative has sparked controversy in Poland, where the UIA is believed to have been involved in the mass killing of Polish civilians (EADaily).
Intended effect:
The article employs harsh rhetoric, such as “thugs” and “neo-Nazi Ukraine,” to remind readers of the UIA’s actions against Poles and to portray the current Ukrainian authorities as the successors to radical nationalism. These tactics aim to undermine Ukrainian-Polish relations, shape the image of Ukraine as an immoral and aggressive state, and use historical memory as a tool in the current information warfare.
RIA: Eight Russians held in Baku custody without investigation, Moscow demands explanations
Ilya Bezugly from Kaliningrad is one of the eight Russians detained in Azerbaijan on charges of drug trafficking and cybercrime. According to RIA Novosti, his father claims that Bezugly is being held in a Baku detention center without an investigation and that access to him is restricted. RIA Novosti notes that the arrest coincided with the detention of Azerbaijani and Russian journalists from Sputnik accused of espionage. This prompted protests from Russia Today, which demanded the immediate release of its employees and an end to the pressure on the press (ria.ru).
Intended effect:
The article portrays the Azerbaijani authorities’ actions as politically motivated and targeting Russian citizens and media. This should reinforce the perception that Azerbaijan is an unfriendly partner acting on the West’s orders or in its own anti-Russian interests.
August 7, 2025, marks the 17th anniversary of the Russian invasion of Georgia. The war, which lasted approximately five days, claimed the lives of more than 200 Georgian soldiers and over 300 civilians, and displaced thousands. Seventeen years on, the trauma of the conflict continues to resonate deeply across Georgian society.
In the aftermath of the war, Russia formally recognized Abkhazia and South Ossetia as independent states and significantly expanded its military presence in both territories. August remains a tragic chapter in Georgia’s modern history. The Russian occupation of the Georgian regions of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) persists to this day. Grave human rights violations against the small remaining ethnic Georgian population are widespread, as are the illegal processes of “borderization,” along with frequent abductions and killings.
While many in Georgia and the West mark the war anniversary on August 7, Georgian Dream leaders, who have increasingly blamed the previous government for the conflict, typically commemorate the event on August 8.
Civil.ge compiled statements from local politicians and international partners on the August war anniversary.
Remarks by Opposition Politicians
Tina Bokuchava, Chair of United National Movement: “Seventeen years after the 2008 war, Georgia has a de facto government that blames the war on its own country, that punishes the then Commander-in-Chief, President Saakashvili, for refusing to surrender the Georgian state to the enemy; a government that asks us to apologize and dares to insult Georgia’s national hero, the symbol of an unbowed Georgia, Giorgi Antsukhelidze. […] Yes, Antsukhelidze is a hero. He is immortal. And just as he did not kneel, Georgia will never kneel before internal or external enemies. Glory to the heroes, glory to Georgia, and may God protect Georgia.”
Giorgi Gakharia, former prime minister, leader of the Gakharia for Georgia party: “ 17 years ago, Russia, first time since the end of the Cold War, launched a direct military invasion against Georgia, killing civilians, displacing thousands and occupying Georgian territories in brutal violation of international law. But the threat doesn’t end at the occupation line. To stay in power, the Georgian Dream party has allied with the occupant power blaming Georgia for the invasion, vindicating Russia’s aggression and occupation and eroding the non-recognition policy. We continue our fight for Georgia’s freedom, peaceful reintegration and European future. Grateful to all international partners who uphold Georgia’s independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity.”
Levan Khabeishvili, United National Movement: “Seventeen years have passed since brave young men confronted the enemies of our country, the Russians, and prevented the full occupation of Georgia. It is a tragic reality that, seventeen years later, Bidzina Ivanishvili’s regime, together with Putin, has managed to bring the entire country under Russian occupation. On the seventeenth anniversary, we clearly saw how the regime prosecutes heroes and claims it was all just for show and PR. Tsulukiani’s ‘Commission of Betrayal’ will be remembered not for honoring the service of our heroes, but for prosecuting generals.”
International Reactions
U.S. Embassy Tbilisi: “Today marks 17 years since Russia’s invasion of Georgia, a day to remember the victims of war, those who were displaced, and those who lost their lives fighting. We see how deeply Georgians continue to honor the memory of their heroism. We stand in solidarity with the Georgian people and reaffirm our unwavering support for Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.”
German Embassy: “On August 7, 2008, the armed conflict between the Russian Federation and Georgia began. Today, we remember the victims of violence and war, as well as those who were forced to flee and became internally displaced persons. The Federal Republic of Germany supports Georgia’s national sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders. The unilateral recognition of the breakaway Georgian regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia by the Russian Federation and other states is unacceptable. Germany calls on Russia to fully comply with its obligations under the agreements of August 12 and September 8, 2008.”
Lithuanian Embassy in Georgia: “17 years ago Russia invaded Georgia. Lithuania along with partners remembers and pays tribute to those who fought against Russia’s aggression and died in August 2008. Our unwavering support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia.”
Latvian MFA: “OTD Latvia remembers the victims of Russia’s aggression against Georgia 17 years ago. We condemn the unlawful invasion and stand firmly for Georgia’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and the right of its people to choose their own future.”
MFA Bulgaria: “17 years since the Russian invasion of Georgia, Bulgaria continues to firmly support the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia within its internationally recognized borders. We also stand unwavering with the Georgian people in the just pursuit of their European future.”
Marko Mihkelson, Chairman of Foreign Affairs Committee of Estonian Parliament: “17 years ago today, Russia launched a war against Georgia, which ended with the occupation of one-fifth of its territory and the halting of NATO expansion. This was yet another stage in Russia’s imperial wars that began in the early 1990s, which ended successfully for the Kremlin and laid the groundwork for the attack on Ukraine.”
Gareth Ward, British Ambassador to Georgia: “Today marks 17 years since the start of the 2008 Russia-Georgia war. We remember those who lost their lives in the conflict, as well as all the internally displaced persons who were forced to leave their homes due to Russian aggression. The United Kingdom once again calls on Russia to respect the ceasefire agreement of August 2008. Our support for Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity remains unwavering.”
Sheraz Gasri, Ambassador of France to Georgia: “Remembering the victims of Russia’s 2008 war of aggression against Georgia, reiterating France call on Russia to respect Georgia’s sovereignty & territorial integrity and implement its commitments under EU mediated 6 points agreement.”
Anne Toft Sørensen, Ambassador of Denmark to Georgia: “Today, we stand with Georgia in honoring the brave individuals who gave their lives defending their homeland during Russia’s 2008 invasion. I reaffirm Denmark’s steadfast support for Georgia’s independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders.”
This news may be updated…
Azerbaijan National Library has released a video tribute dedicated to the memory of prominent writer, novelist, dramatist, critic, literary scholar, Doctor of Philology, Professor, member of the Azerbaijan Writers’ Union, People’s Writer, recipient of the Istiqlal Order, and a public and state figure, Elchin Afandiyev, Azernews reports.