Georgia doesn't have a very long history of being and independent state within the boundaries it now occupies. There was a kingdom of Georgia from the 11th century until the 15th century, which broke up into several kingdoms and principalities in the 16th century. From 1918 to 1921, there was an Independent Republic of Georgia. After the break up of the Soviet Union, Georgia simply declared its independence. The current Georgia has existed since 1991.

Georgia is in no more of a position to force South Ossetia to remain a part of Georgia than Russia is to claim Georgia as a part of Russia.