The UN Security Council held a closed-door meeting on August 18 to address the situation in the territories not controlled by Tbilisi and the broader Russian-Georgian conflict. The annual session marks the 17th anniversary of the 2008 war.

Following the meeting, Russia's Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, Dmitry Polyansky, announced a mutual desire between Russia and Georgia to normalize relations. He praised the Georgian government for its "wisdom" in avoiding a scenario similar to Ukraine's, which he claimed Europe is interested in promoting in Georgia. Polyansky argued that Georgia and Russia are actively working to restore bilateral ties, while opponents of this process seek to make Georgia a "pawn exclusively in their own geopolitical interests."

"Russia's trade turnover with Georgia is $2.5 billion. We are Georgia's second-largest trading partner. Additionally, 1.5 million Russian tourists visited Georgia last year," Polyansky stated at a press conference on August 19. "This demonstrates the absolutely clear desire of both our countries to restore bilateral ties and normalize relations." He further accused European nations of attempting to push Georgia toward a disastrous path, saying, "They believe that they have succeeded with Ukraine. However, the Georgian leadership has shown enough wisdom to abandon such a disastrous scenario, which doesn't bother our European colleagues. They are trying to do everything to plunge our country into the same tragedy that they have already plunged Ukraine into."

In the same speech, the Russian diplomat emphasized Russia's interest in "creating a favorable security climate in the South Caucasus" and highlighted the importance of "normalizing relations between the three countries [Georgia, Abkhazia, and South Ossetia]." He proposed an initiative to "sign an agreement on the non-use of force" between Tbilisi and the uncontrolled territories as a guarantee for stabilizing the "problem region."

In contrast to the Russian diplomat's remarks, a statement issued after the meeting reaffirmed the Security Council's strong support for the independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of Georgia within its internationally recognized borders. The Council's statement condemned "the brutal invasion and continued illegal military presence of Russian troops in Georgia in violation of the UN Charter, as well as the effective control and steps aimed at annexation of two regions."