Defence Minister laments “mistake” of Ukrainian Ambassador’s recall, calls for forgetting “upsets” between countries

The recall of the Ukrainian Ambassador from Georgia in March was a “mistake” and the two states should put the past “upsets” behind them, Juansher Burchuladze, the Georgian Defence Minister, said on Monday.  

In comments following a Ukraine visit of solidarity by a Georgian Parliamentary delegation this month, after the controversy over the Ambassador’s recall in March, Burchuladze stressed Georgia’s humanitarian support to Ukraine amid the Russian invasion, and added there was “no alternative” to friendly relations between Georgia and Ukraine.

It is the values, the relationship that our people have had with the Ukrainian brothers for centuries, that must be appreciated by both sides. We are doing our best to show the Ukrainian authorities and the Ukrainian society that we stand by them,” Burchuladze said.

The Minister also claimed Georgia was the leading country worldwide in the supply of humanitarian aid to Ukraine amid the war, and pointed out the Georgian Government had joined “all the critical sanctions” against Russia’s invasion.

He also commented on his Government’s decision not to approve sanctions on Russia that would have “no effect on the aggressor”, pointing out imposing such measures would not be “sensible” while causing damage to economic conditions of the Georgian population through its dependence on trade with Russia.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy first recalled Ambassador Igor Dolgov “for consultations” on March 1, before signing decrees on March 31 for recalling diplomats from Georgia and Morocco, citing their failure to obtain imposition of sanctions of Russia or supply of weapons to Ukraine.