Ukraine Charge d'Affaires summoned to Georgian MFA over claims of Ukrainian Intelligence Service
The Ukrainian diplomat said he did not have an “appropriate response” to the statement issued by the Ukrainian intelligence service at the time, and noted a relevant message would be conveyed to Kyiv. Photo: MFA of Georgia
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Andrei Kasyanov, the Charge d'affaires of Ukraine in Georgia, was summoned on Monday to the Georgian foreign office over the claims of the Intelligence Service of the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine about alleged talks between Russia and Georgia over re-export of Russian goods to third countries.
The Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia, Teimuraz Janjalia, once again expressed the “dissatisfaction” of the Georgian Government with the allegations to the diplomat, and noted reports of the “unverified facts” in Ukrainian press "damaged the partnership” between the two countries, the Ministry said.
Kasyanov was asked to provide “in a timely manner” factual explanations and evidence on the information released by the Ukrainian Ministry. The Georgian foreign office said the request had been made "especially considering" Ukrainian authorities had also failed to present evidence of a similar "previous allegation".
The Ukrainian diplomat said he did not have an “appropriate response” to the statement issued by the Ukrainian intelligence service at the time, and noted a relevant message would be conveyed to Kyiv.
The Georgian officials also reiterated their “unwavering support” for Ukraine and the Ukrainian people, while Kasyanov expressed his gratitude to Georgia for its resolutions and statements in support of Ukraine since the Russian invasion of the country, as well as for humanitarian assistance provided by Georgia since the outbreak of the conflict.
The Georgian Government would like to ask Ukrainian authorities to take a “responsible approach” to relations established between the nations, Irakli Kobakhidze, the head of the ruling Georgian Dream party, said on Monday following claims about alleged talks between Russia and Georgia over re-export of Russian goods to third countries.
Vice Speaker of the Georgian Parliament Archil Talakvadze on Monday said reports in Ukrainian media on talks between Russia and Georgia over re-export of Russian goods to third countries were “unfounded and incorrect”.
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.
Georgian Foreign Minister Ilia Darchiashvili on Friday said comments by Oleksiy Arestovych, the Advisor to the Ukrainian President, on Georgian Government’s policies in the wake of the Russian invasion of Ukraine were “unfortunate”.
Georgian Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili on Tuesday said Ukrainian state agencies were “damaging their own credibility” with statements about Russia’s ties with countries like Georgia and Hungary around the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
Levan Davitashvili, the Georgian Economy Minister, on Wednesday said the country was part of “all international decisions on the sanctions” imposed by the international community against Russia due to its invasion of Ukraine, and adhered to the agreements with Georgia’s international partners.
The Secretary of the Security Council of Ukraine has voiced a “wish to open a second front” of the war with Russia in Georgia and Moldova, Georgia’s Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili said on Friday in comments at the Parliament.
The United States Department of State’s 2022 Investment Climate Statements, which on Thursday said the National Bank of Georgia and Georgian financial institutions were acting "fully in accordance" with the international financial sanctions imposed on Russia due to its invasion of Ukraine, is a “cold shower” for Georgian Government’s critics, ruling party MP Mikheil Sarjveladze said on Friday.
Georgian prime minister Irakli Garibashvili on Monday congratulated employees of the country’s intelligence services on their professional date by stressing the “key element” of their institution in the state security system.