Beginning in 2004, the Georgian Government has repeatedly proposed to launch a genuine peace process for South Ossetia and Abkhazia. Years of stalemate had left all ethnic populations in both conflict zones impoverished and without any effective protection of basic rights; The Russian Federation and consequently separatist leaders controlled by Russia have rejected Georgia’s peace initiatives each time they have been proposed—even when the international community backed the initiatives. Russia’s so called “peacekeeping mission”  aimed at preventing the reconciliation process and confidence building in conflict areas. New Georgian government unequivocally expressed its desire to join Euro-Atlantic security architecture and started profound reforms to get ready for it. Georgian government also raised voice for changing the negotiating format in so called Georgian-Abkhazian and Georgian-Ossetian conflicts.  
Georgian side came with new peace-plans, demanded direct, unconditional talks with Ossetian and Abkhaz separatists.  On July 18, Abkhaz separatists rejected a German-mediated peace plan and refused to attend peace talks scheduled in Berlin. OSCE Chairman in Office, Finnish Foreign Minister Alexander Stubb, proposed talks in Helsinki in early August between South Ossetian separatists and the Georgian government. The separatists due to the Russian pressure rejected the proposal.
Meanwhile Russian media outlets report the large-scale mobilization of volunteers across the Russian North Caucasus, including pledges by Cossacks to deploy mercenary troops into Georgia.  At the request of President Saakashvili, Special Envoy Temur Iakobashvili twice attempts to negotiate with separatists, but his requests are rebuffed.
On 7 August, the Special Envoy of Russia’s Foreign Ministry, Yuri Popov, fails to mediate preliminary agreed talks on a ceasefire, citing refusal by the separatists, while shelling of Villages under Government  control continues. General  Kulakhmetov, during the meeting in Tskhinvali with Special Envoy Yakobashvili, declares that he cannot contact the separatist leaders, and that Russian “peacekeepers” cannot stop the separatist attacks;

In spite of casualties among Georgian peacekeepers and civilians killed by separatist fire, President Saakashvili orders an immediate ceasefire and calls for negotiations. He reaffirms the Government’s proposal to grant broad “European standard” autonomy to the region, and offers Russia to serve as a guarantor. President Saakashvili also announces an unconditional amnesty for separatists who agree to cease hostilities.

Despite the ceasefire declared by Georgian authorities, the separatists intensify their shelling of villages under Georgian control and Georgian peacekeeper posts.
Beginning on August 8 at 09:45, Russian aviation bombed a series of civilian and military targets across Georgia, outside the zone of conflict in South Ossetia, damaging infrastructure and causing significant civilian casualties.
It should be mentioned that EU reacted on Russia’s military aggression quite quickly and this response was crucial. Sarkozy brokered six-point agreement between parties made it possible to reach relative cease-fire and to avoid mass casualties among civilian population. Official response from EU was actually timely. Traditional division of positions of Member States over important international events characteristic for EU was avoided. It is obvious that all member States realized threat posed by Russia toward European security. Starting from the Munich Russia’s foreign policy vision represents serious concern for Europeans. Russia demonstrates cold war approach, particularly, toward its neighbors considering “near abroad” as a sphere of its exclusive influence and is claiming to have legal rights to interfere in internal matters of sovereign states neighboring Russia. In addition, Russia is trying to establish its control over alternative routes of energy supply crossing territories of Azerbaijan, Georgia and Ukraine. If it happens, energy dependence of EU on Russia’s energy resources will increase very dangerously resulting into political dependence.
Presidency conclusions adopted by the European Council on September 1st 2008 demonstrated EU’s willingness to reject Russia’s aggressive plans. As expected EU expressed its support toward territorial integrity of Georgia and strongly condemned Russia’s unilateral decision to recognize the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. More to it European Council called on other States not to recognize this proclaimed independence.  Reply from EU was not only declarative but also very practical and efficient one. Provisions of the conclusions say that Until Russian troops have withdrawn to the positions held prior to 7 August, meetings on the negotiation of the Partnership Agreement between EU and Russia will be postponed. The same position was fixed in EP resolution adopted on September 3rd 2008.  
We believe that international community and in particular EU will not allow newly emerged totalitarian regime to re-establish its control over Eastern and Southern Europe and prevent any attempt to revitalize new iron curtain in 21st century.  
Vasili Tchkoidze
President EM Georgia