Ukrainian Presidential Advisor’s “absurd” accusations “damaging relations” - Georgian PM
In his comments on the remark to the press, Garibashvili criticised its author and said “no one” would be allowed to negatively affect relations between Georgia and Ukraine. Photo: Government Administration
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Prime Minister of Georgia Irakli Garibashvili on Saturday rejected the “absurd accusations and insults” about his Government’s stance on the Ukraine war from the Ukrainian presidential adviser Oleksiy Arestovych, saying the statements were “damaging relations” between the two nations.
The Government head was responding to a comment by Arestovych, who on Thursday said Georgian citizens would “evaluate” their Government’s “policies and statements” in the wake of the Russian invasion of Ukraine “at elections”.
In his comments on the remark to the press, Garibashvili criticised its author and said “no one” would be allowed to negatively affect relations between Georgia and Ukraine.
The person you are referring to [Arestovych] is an insult himself. I do not want to talk too much and make comments. It is unfortunate that such absurd accusations and insults damage our main relationship with our Ukrainian people. However, I assure everyone that no one will be able to ruin our relations with our Ukrainian brothers and sisters,” the PM said.
Garibashvili stressed “politicians come and go” to highlight the temporary nature of individuals in power compared to relations between nations, and highlighted Georgia ranked first among 190 countries in humanitarian aid sent to Ukraine via mail during the conflict as a demonstration of his Government’s solidarity with the country under the assault.
On Thursday, Arestovych addressed the Georgian Government in comments on the country’s positions on the war, saying: “Let me tell you something [...] the Georgian people will evaluate the Georgian Government’s policies and statements [amid the war in Ukraine] during the elections.”
The comment followed rounds of controversy between authorities of the two countries since the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, with some Ukrainian officials making accusations on Georgia allowing a smuggling of goods to enable Russia to circumvent international sanctions imposed on the Kremlin for the attack.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy also recalled his Ambassador from Georgia and Morocco in March, citing their failure to obtain imposition of sanctions of Russia or supply of weapons to Ukraine amid the war as the cause for the moves.