Statement of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the 68th Round of the Geneva International Discussions

The 68th round of the Geneva International Discussions was held on November 10–11, 2026, with the Georgian delegation led by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Lasha Darsalia.

At the outset of the negotiations, the Georgian side placed particular emphasis on the importance of the Geneva International Discussions and on the need to continue the negotiations in accordance with the founding documents of the negotiating format.

The Georgian delegation focused on the key issues on the negotiating agenda, including the need for Russia to fully implement its international obligations under the EU-mediated 12 August 2008 ceasefire agreement, withdraw its armed forces from the territory of Georgia, establish international security mechanisms on the ground and ensure the safe and dignified return of internally displaced persons and refugees to their homes.

During the negotiations, the Georgian delegation expressed deep concern over the so-called presidential elections held in the occupied Tskhinvali region in September 2026 and the appointment of Russian citizens to senior positions within the occupation regime. These developments were assessed as yet another step towards the annexation of Georgia’s Tskhinvali region.

The Georgian side raised the serious challenges relating to security, humanitarian conditions and human rights in the occupied regions, as well as the destructive actions of the Russian occupation regimes.

The meeting also underscored the need to restore the Incident Prevention and Response Mechanism (IPRM) in Gali and highlighted the importance of holding regular meetings of this mechanism in Gali and Ergneti in accordance with the established principles.

As has become customary, representatives of Russia and its occupation regimes left the negotiating table during the discussion of one of the most important agenda items, concerning the return of internally displaced persons and refugees from the occupied territories to their homes.

The Geneva International Discussions were established on the basis of the EU mediated 12 August 2008 Ceasefire Agreement and their principal agenda items are the implementation of Ceasefire Agreement, the safe and dignified return of internally displaced persons and refugees to their homes and the resolution of security and humanitarian challenges resulting from the Russian occupation.

The next, 69th round of the Geneva International Discussions will be held on 16-17 March, 2027.