Georgia concerned by Russian troop movements in Eastern Ukraine
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba has thanked Georgia for its ‘strong solidarity.’ Photo: prismua.org.
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Georgia has expressed concerns over Russian troop movements near the eastern Donbass region where Ukrainian troops are in conflict with Russian-backed forces.
Georgian Foreign Minister David Zalkaliani held a phone conversation with his Ukrainian colleague amid Ukraine's standoff over a Russian troop buildup near its border.
Georgian Foreign Minister David Zalkaliani has tweeted:
Had a ☎️ call W my ???????? colleague @DmytroKuleba. Expressed concern over recent developments in Eastern Ukraine. Exchanged info on ongoing situation in ???????? & ???????? on t/background of ???????? occupation & focused on importance of involvement of int'l community 4 de-escalation of tensions. pic.twitter.com/NANermQQzD
— David Zalkaliani (@DZalkaliani) April 7, 2021
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba has responded that he is grateful for Georgia’s ‘strong support.’
I spoke today with @DZalkaliani to inform him on Russia’s destabilizing activities in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine & around our borders. Grateful for Georgia’s strong solidarity, readiness to work together on consolidating international support of Ukraine.
— Dmytro Kuleba (@DmytroKuleba) April 7, 2021
Russia sparked alarm in Ukraine and in the international community in recent days by amassing its armed forces close to the Ukrainian border.
The military build-up has raised fears of a possible Russian offensive that could push beyond the areas of eastern Ukraine which is currently under Russian control.
Last week US President Joe Biden had a 50-minute phone conversation with the Ukrainian president and reaffirmed the United States’ ‘unwavering support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity in the face of Russia’s ongoing aggression in the Donbas and Crimea.’
Both Georgian and Ukrainian territories are currently under illegal Russian control.
MEPs Viola Von Cramon and Andrius Kubilius have responded to the 12th anniversary of the Russia-Georgia war, stating that ‘2008 events were preceded by Russia’s decades-long aggression and provocations’.
Georgian Prime Minister Mamuka Bakhtadze, Foreign Minister David Zalkaliani and Parliament Speaker Archil Talakvadze have sent good wishes to Ukraine on its Independence Day.
Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili attended the inauguration of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv yesterday, stating during a face-to-face meeting that Georgia and Ukraine should merge forces for their Euro-Atlantic integration, the Ukrainian president’s press office reports.
While announcing the decision today, Prime Minister of Georgia Mamuka Bakhtadze said that the new initiative is going to support tourism development and deepening economic relations between the two countries.
Opposition Girchi - More Freedom party organized a rally in solidarity with Ukraine amidst concerns caused by the recent movement of Russian troops’ near the eastern Donbass region.
During a telephone conversation with the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky, Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili has expressed concern over the situation on the Russia-Ukraine border and Crimea.
A Georgian soldier in the 128th Mountain Assault Brigade has been reported killed as a result of 'insidious actions of illegal military formations supported by the Russian Federation' on April 18, the 128th Separate Mountain Zakarpattia Brigade said in the statement posted on its official Facebook page.
Georgian Ambassador to Ukraine Teimuraz Sharashenidze returned to Ukraine earlier this week, amid tension at Ukrainian borders and met with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba and his deputy Vasyl Bodnar in Kyiv yesterday, the Georgian Foreign Ministry has reported. Sharashenidze was recalled to Tbilisi in May 2020 after former President Mikheil Saakashvili became the chair of the Executive Committee of the Ukrainian National Reforms Council.
Former Foreign and Defence Minister of Lithuania Linas Linkevicius says that after the recent escalation of the situation at Donbass, Ukraine by Russia, Georgia and Ukraine must receive the NATO Membership Action Plan (MAP). After several weeks of tension over a build-up of Russian troops near Ukraine's border, Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu has ordered the return of units back to their bases.
Explosions at ammo depots in Bulgaria between 2011-2020 are likely linked to attempts of Russian military intelligence to hinder export of ammunition from the country to Ukraine and Georgia, Bulgarian state prosecutors told a press briefing on Tuesday.
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili and Ukrainian Defence Minister Andrii Taran have discussed the strategic cooperation between Georgia and Ukraine earlier today in Tbilisi.
Georgian and Ukrainian PMs Irakli Garibashvili and Denys Shmyhal have met in Tbilisi earlier today to discuss their countries’ moves to integrate into the EU and NATO in addition to bilateral and multilateral relations. “One of the key topics of our meeting was EU integration,” Garibashvili said during the joint press conference.
Georgian and Ukrainian presidents have met in Kyiv earlier today and stated that the two countries have common, Euro-Atlantic goals, face common challenges from Russia and need to further strengthen economic and political ties. Both Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that their countries should work together for the Black sea security, with the support of the international community.
During an official visit between August 21 and 23 Garibashvili will hold meetings with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, PM Denys Shmyhal and Parliament Speaker Dmytro Razumkov.
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili has already arrived in Ukraine, where he was welcomed by his Ukrainian counterpart Denys Shmyhal, ambassadors of both countries and Ukrainian officials in Lviv. Garibashvili and Shmyhal have tweeted that they are waiting for a ‘productive discussion’ on defence, security, trade, economic and other issues.
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili has stated during his official visit to Ukraine that Russian actions in both Ukraine and Georgia ‘are alarming and are the issue of an international concern.’ After the meeting with Ukrainian PM Denys Shmyhal earlier today, Garibashvili said that at a Crimea platform forum tomorrow, which was initiated by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, the current situation in Ukrainian and Georgian occupied territories will be ‘once again evaluated’.
Georgian civil activists and politicians have held a rally in solidarity with Ukraine outside the Ukrainian Embassy in Tbilisi earlier today. The demonstrators expressed their support for the Ukrainian people, denouncing Russia's military buildup near the border of Ukraine.