Ruling party, opposition fail to agree on common resolution in support of Ukraine

The ruling Georgian Dream (GD) party and the parliamentary opposition failed to reach an agreement on a common resolution in support of Ukraine amid the Russian military buildup at its border, sparking mutual criticism over the proposed document from the sides.

On Wednesday, the opposition rejected a proposed document of the resolution, prepared by MPs from the ruling party and scheduled to be submitted to the parliament on the first day of the spring session, citing no specific mention of Russian aggression in the document.

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The rejection has drawn criticism from GD members, with parliament speaker Shalva Papuashvili claiming the “main essence” of the resolution was reflected in the document and alleging “the opposition sees its own agenda in such resolutions.” It would be “appropriate to reach wide consensus for such resolutions on security or international issues”, Papuashvili added.

Georgia’s foreign minister David Zalkaliani said the opposition’s refusal to sign the proposal amounted to “political manipulation”, adding the main theme of the ruling party’s suggested draft had been to avoid a further escalation of the situation over Ukraine, an “invasion of the sovereign country and violation of its fundamental international rights.”

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The ruling party also said the text of its resolution draft had been “free from any populist or provocative rhetoric.” 

Georgian Dream MP Mamuka Mdinaradze has said the ruling party still intends to submit its resolution for registration at the legislative body through the Foreign Affairs Committee. Photo: Parliament of Georgia.

The GD draft condemns “possible military escalation in Ukraine and any intention that may be directed against the sovereignty and territorial integrity of a sovereign state.” It also calls on the Georgian government to “continue its contribution to the prevention of war in Ukraine through the use of diplomatic instruments and in close coordination with strategic partners.”

In the wake of the sides’ failure to agree over a resolution proposal, Droa opposition party has suggested an alternative resolution which “expresses deep concern” over the military escalation by Russia and specifically denounces “the threat of the use of force by the Russian Federation against the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine.”

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In the current situation, ensuring the national security of Ukraine is vital for the national security of Georgia and also a necessary precondition for ensuring lasting peace on the European continent,” Droa’s document reads. 

Several opposition parties, including the Republican Party and Strategy Aghmashenebeli, have expressed readiness to sign the draft proposed by Droa, while Girchi has refused to do so and claimed the process has “lost its seriousness.”