Ukraine’s foreign ministry responds to claims of ‘interference in Georgia’s affairs’ by PM
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine reacted to the harsh statements of the Georgian authorities (Photo:Enrico Strocchi/Flickr)
Ukraine’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has responded to Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili’s claims that Kyiv was interfering in Georgia’s internal affairs after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he supported protesters in Tbilisi.
“Almost verbatim repeating the theses of Russian propaganda, representatives of the Georgian authorities accused Ukraine of preparing a coup d’état in Georgia, drawing it into a war with Russia, directing forces to incite a civil war,” Nikolenko wrote.
“We categorically reject such insinuations, which have nothing to do with reality. The Georgian authorities are looking for the enemy in the wrong place,” Nikolenko added.
He said he was convinced that the statements of Georgian politicians would not be able to undermine the strong friendship between the Ukrainian and Georgian peoples.
“We highly appreciate the support of Georgians when Ukrainians are fighting for their independence. For its part, Ukraine has been and will remain a friend of the Georgian people, whom we wish not to stop towards the development of the European future,” Nikolenko said.
Security forces used tear gas and water cannons against rally participants, more than a hundred people were detained. Later, the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia announced the release of all protesters detained administratively on March 7-8. One person remained in custody under the article of the Criminal Code.
Meanwhile, Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili expressed her support for the protesters.
On March 9, opposition politicians during a protest in Tbilisi called for the resignation of the government and early elections.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy addressed the participants of the protests, noting that there is no Ukrainian who does not wish Georgia success, as well as a democratic and European future.
Oleksiy Danilov, Secretary of Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Council, stated that the return of the sovereign territories of Moldova and Georgia is a necessary basis for guarantees of sustainable peace.
On March 12, Garibashvili said that he considers Ukrainian politicians’ calls for changes in his country to be interference in state affairs.
We’re bringing the voice of Ukraine to the
world. Support
us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron!
Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Google News
