Defence Minister: Resolve Ukraine conflict with peace not force

Georgia's Defence Minister believes the European Union and NATO should take more concrete steps in an attempt to support Ukraine.

Irakli Alasania discussed the current situation in Ukraine on the talk show Archevani on Rustavi 2 TV channel last night.

The developments in Ukraine reminded Alasania of the 2008 Russian aggression against Georgia.

"Now, much is depended on the new Ukrainian Government,” the Georgian Minister said, adding Kiev needed to be careful not to give Russia a reason to start a military intervention in Eastern Ukraine.

At the same time, Alasania said the West needed to take more active steps in order to support Georgia and Ukraine to integrate with Euro-Atlantic structures.

However, Alasania believed it would be better to replace a military confrontation with internationally organised peace missions.

"In military and financial regards, Russia cannot remain in a long-term confrontation against the EU and NATO,” the Minister said.

Alasania believed economic isolation, imposing of sanctions against Russia and its exclusion from the Group of Eight (G8) would have a very negative effect on the country.

"In addition, the Ukrainian Armed Forces are also a reasonable power,” he said.

However, Alasania hoped the political dialogue started by the EU and the United States would bring positive results in regards to a peaceful resolution to the problems.

He reconfirmed Georgia’s support to its partner country, Ukraine, and said Georgian Parliament members could pay a visit there.