PM calls on the international community to do everything possible to stop hostilities in Ukraine

Prime Minister of Georgia Irakli Garibashvili has called on the international community to do everything possible to stop hostilities in Ukraine, in a statement following the beginning of Russia’s military action on Thursday.

• Georgian PM: Russia’s attack on Ukraine “unacceptable”

Garibashvili reiterated attack and military action against a sovereign state was “absolutely unacceptable” and contrary to the principles of international law, adding the Georgian government was doing everything in its power to provide political and humanitarian support to Ukraine.

We experienced all this in 2008 when, unfortunately, the tragic events of August 2008 could not have been avoided - which, of course, you all remember, brought very serious consequences to our country,” he said while making an analogy of the current situation with the Russia-Georgia war.

• Georgian FM condemns Russian aggression against Ukraine at OSCE council meeting

The head of the government said there was no immediate threat to Georgia in the ongoing crisis, highlighting he held daily discussions with his Security Cabinet on the matter.

We must keep calm, focus on development, progress, prosperity within the country, and thus, continue with the country's progress calmly and firmly," Garibashvili said while also noting Georgia would not join the financial and economic sanctions placed on Russia by several countries, as doing so would hurt the country’s economy.

• Georgian PM reaffirms support for Ukraine, calls for diplomatic solution

I will not make any decision that will in any way harm the national interests of our country and our people,” he said, reminding the public of the events in the 1990s when authorities in Georgia made an ill-advised attempt to block a strategic railway crossing Georgia to effect an economic blockade of Russia.