Georgians, Ukrainians rally in Geneva amid Biden-Putin meeting
Georgian and Ukrainian citizens are protesting Russia's occupation of the two countries’ territories during the meeting of the US and Russian presidents in Geneva. Photo: video grab.
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Georgians and Ukrainians are holding a rally in Geneva amid the ongoing meeting of the US and Russian President's Joe Biden and Vladimir Putin, protesting the Russian occupation of Georgian and Ukrainian territories and calling upon the world to stand against Russia’s destructive actions in the region.
The protesters told journalists that ‘Georgians and Ukrainians are standing together to tell the world that the countries need international support against Russia’s continued aggression.’
Georgian demonstrators have also protested the severe humanitarian situation in Georgia’s Russian-occupied Abkhazia and Tskhinvali regions, erection of artificial barriers and illegal detention of Georgian citizens.
Biden and Putin on their first meeting in Geneva. Photo: EPA.
Biden and Putin are holding their first meeting at a time when the relations of the two countries are at a low point.
The meeting which will include the US allegations of Russian cyber attack and arms control,is in the spotlight.
The presidents are scheduled to make separate statements for the media after the meeting.
Georgia expects the US president to raise the occupation issue at the meeting.
US Senator Jeanne Shaheen says that the US and NATO need to seriously consider NATO membership for Ukraine and Georgia, or at least provide a clear path for entry.
The United States is grateful to Georgia for its ‘vital role’ facilitating the recent discussions between Armenia and Azerbaijan. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken thanked the government of Georgia following the release of 15 Armenian detainees in Azerbaijan yesterday.
United States Acting Assistant Secretary for European and Eurasian Affairs Philip Reeker has stated in Tbilisi that Georgia remains the US’s top strategic partnership in the South Caucasus and a crucial partner in the Black Sea region. He said that his recent visit to Georgia aimed to ensure the further development of Georgia as a safe and a democratic country ‘for which the implementation of the April 19 EU-mediated agreement is important.’
United States Acting Assistant Secretary for European and Eurasian Affairs Philip Reeker will travel to Georgia, Azerbaijan and Armenia on June 6-13 ‘to advance bilateral and regional priorities and to express US support for democratic and economic development across the region’.