Rice was National Security Adviser at the time of Saakashvili’s 2003 “Rose Revolution” in Georgia and Secretary of State shortly afterward. In the latter capacity she visited Georgia shortly before and immediately after the Saakashvili regime invaded South Ossetia on August 8, 2008, triggering a five-day war with Russia. On the day of the second visit, four days after the war ended on August 12, then-Senator Joe Biden announced that he was leaving for Tbilisi as well. – RR

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The Messenger
January 16, 2023

Russia definitely wanted to overthrow Saakashvili, Condoleezza Rice says

According to former US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, the United States stands by Ukraine and helps it, but it should do more so that Ukraine repels Russian aggression. Condoleezza Rice told the Ukrainian editorial office of “Voice of America” about this.

As an example, Rice cited a need “that wouldn’t have been difficult to identify a few months ago,” namely providing Ukraine with more air defense systems to deter Russian attacks on civilian infrastructure. The former secretary of state called on the West to step up and give Ukraine what it needs most.

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“I will tell you frankly, I believe we stopped Russia’s ambition to take over Tbilisi. “Russia definitely wanted to overthrow Saakashvili,” Rice said.

The former state secretary also commented on the imprisonment of the former president of Georgia, Mikheil Saakashvili.

“Let me use this opportunity to appeal to Georgia on behalf of Saakashvili, who is sick and in prison. He is someone I hope we fully understand his historical role and his humanitarian situation now,” Rice said.

Rice and Saakashvili in the Georgian capital less than a month before Georgia’s invasion of South Ossetia