Georgian PM: Kiev should not listen to Saakashvili

The Prime Minister of Georgia is urging the Ukrainian Government not to listen to the advice of former President Mikheil Saakashvili, and says he is a "radical character”.

"I’ve been told Saakashvili was invited as a consultant [by the new Ukrainian Government]. I don’t want to interfere in Ukraine’s internal affairs but I think it would be a mistake to listen to Saakashvili’s tips,” Irakli Garibashvili said today.

Garibashvili believed Saakashvili was an "adventurer” who was not able to prevent the Russia-Georgia war in August 2008. He accused Saakashvili of having a "radical character”.

"Saakashvili feeds on crisis situations and radicalism. He feels bad when the situation is stable and peaceful,” the PM noted.

Saakashvili and his party, United National Movement, are active supporters of the Ukrainian opposition. 

The former President visited Kiev during the protests and addressed demonstrations. After his visit he was banned from entering the country by the ruling power. Soon after the escape of ousted Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovich, Saakashvili returned to Ukraine and resumed his ties with the new opposition Government. 

Georgia’s former President said the new Ukrainian opposition offered him "high posts” in the new Government but he refused them. 

"I told [them] that my heart belongs here [in Ukraine] because our struggle is here. However the whole of my existence belongs to Georgia,” Saakashvili said.