NATO will not fight with Russia over Abkhazia and South Ossetia, if Georgia joins the Treaty, NATO liaison officer in South Caucasus William Lahue said in an interview with Kommersant-Vlast weekly.

“NATO’s task is to protect peaceful relations. Georgia should determine the status of these territories itself. It needs to be clear that as long as the Russian troops are deployed there, we won’t use the Article 5 in Georgia, because no one wants war,” Lahue said. 

The presence of Russian armed forces in Georgian territories of Abkhazia and South Ossetia will not stop Georgia’s accession to NATO, William Lahue noted. According to him, Georgia’s the membership in NATO is possible, “even if Russian servicemen are stationed in these territories.” However, Georgia needs to determine the status of these territories independently, without alliance, he added.