UK Foreign Secretary: West must ensure countries like Moldova, Georgia have “resilience, capabilities”
Truss suggested it was essential to arm not just Ukraine with heavy weapons in its defence against the Russian aggression, but also help Moldova, Georgia and the Western Balkans. Photo: Reuters
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British Foreign Secretary Liz Truss on Wednesday said Western partners “must ensure” countries like Moldova and Georgia have the “resilience and the capabilities” in the wake of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Truss suggested it was essential to arm not just Ukraine with heavy weapons in its defence against the Russian aggression, but also help Moldova, Georgia and the Western Balkans.
[W]e must ensure that, alongside Ukraine, the Western Balkans and countries like Moldova and Georgia have the resilience and the capabilities to maintain their sovereignty and freedom,” she said.
The top British diplomat also noted NATO’s open door policy for aspiring member states was “sacrosanct” and the alliance must have a “global outlook” and be ready to tackle global threats.
Russia's actions in Georgia in 2008 and Ukraine in 2014, as well as the poisoning of Sergei and Yulia Skripals in Salisbury were warnings to the West, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said in an opinion piece published by The New York Times on Sunday.
The United States House of Representatives has approved the Georgia Support Act, establishing a “strategic partnership” between the two countries “at the legislative level”, the Georgian foreign office said on Thursday.
Mark Clayton, the Ambassador of the United Kingdom to Georgia, on Wednesday highlighted the 30th anniversary of the reestablishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries by saying their relations had a "bright future".
The British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has reiterated support of his Government for Georgia in a letter marking the 30th anniversary of the re-establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, sent to his Georgian counterpart Irakli Garibashvili, the Government’s Administration said on Monday.
Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili expressed her gratitude to Nancy Pelosi, the Speaker of the US House of Representatives, for approving the Georgia Support Act on Thursday.
Zourabichvili noted the Act reaffirmed the US’ support for Georgia, highlighting the importance of strategic partnership between two countries.
Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili and her Moldovan counterpart Maia Sandu discussed the latest developments in Moldova on Thursday.
During a telephone conversation, Zourabichvili expressed solidarity with Moldova, saying the “European path is what brings us together.”
Close defence cooperation between Georgia and France and the prospects for future cooperation were discussed on Thursday in a meeting between Georgian and French defence officials.