Georgian Deputy FM urges Ukrainian Charge d'Affaires to provide evidence of alleged ties between Georgian, Russian services
The Georgian side expressed concern over the claims spread by the Main Intelligence Division of the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine, saying the information did not “conform with reality” and served to “harm the friendly relations” between the two countries. Photo: MFA Georgia
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Teimuraz Janjalia, the Deputy Foreign Minister of Georgia, urged Andrei Kasyanov, the Ukrainian Charge d'Affaires in Georgia, to provide evidence of alleged secret ties between Georgian and Russian state services for organising smuggling of sanctioned goods through Georgian territory during a meeting on Tuesday.
The Georgian side expressed concern over the claims spread by the Main Intelligence Division of the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine, saying the information did not “conform with reality” and served to “harm the friendly relations” between the two countries.
Kasyanov reiterated his gratitude for Georgia’s support for Ukraine, including for humanitarian assistance, amid the ongoing Russian military invasion of his country.
For his part, Janjalia reaffirmed Georgia’s commitment to continue supporting Ukraine both in “bilateral and multilateral formats.”
The officials highlighted the importance of further strengthening ties between their countries.
The statement of the Intelligence Service of the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine on Russia creating smuggling channels for sanctioned products using Georgian territory is “unheard-of misinformation”, the Georgian Minister of Culture Thea Tsulukiani said on Tuesday.
The State Security Service (SSS) of Georgia on Tuesday urged Ukraine’s military intelligence to provide evidence of claims of secret ties between Georgian and Russian state services for organising smuggling of sanctioned goods through Georgian territory.
Shalva Papuashvili, the Speaker of the Georgian Parliament, called the statement of the Main Intelligence Division of the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine on Russia creating smuggling channels for sanctioned products using Georgian territory a “lie” and “unacceptable”.
The Ministry of Finance of Georgia said on Monday the information on Russia creating smuggling channels for sanctioned products using Georgian territory was “a completely baseless and absurd accusation.”
Attacks by Ukrainian authorities on Georgia have become a “campaign”, Anri Okhanashvili, an MP of the ruling Georgian Dream party, said on Wednesday in response to Ukrainian allegations of Russia smuggling sanctioned products using Georgian territory.
The Georgian side “categorically” urges the Ukrainian counterparts to present evidence of the accusation of Ukrainian officials on Russia smuggling sanctioned products using Georgian territory to avoid international sanctions amid its invasion to Ukraine, Lasha Darsalia, the Deputy Foreign Minister, said on Wednesday.
Allegations of Ukrainian authorities should be dealt with “through appropriate channels”, the United States Ambassador to Georgia Kelly Degnan said on Wednesday regarding accusations of Ukrainian authorities on Russia smuggling sanctioned products using Georgian territory to evade international sanctions amid its invasion of Ukraine.
Irakli Kobakhidze, the Head of the ruling Georgian Dream party, on Tuesday called “shameful” the recent statement of Andriy Kasianov, the Ukrainian Charge D'affaires in Georgia, on possible evacuation of Ukrainians stranded in Georgia due to the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, in case of resumption of flights between Georgia and Russia.