Georgian officials condemn Russia’s recognition of Ukrainian regions' independence
The international community has condemned the decision of Russia, expressing support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and warning the Russian Federation of the “swift and firm response,” United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken said. Photo: Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge.
Tweet 
Share
Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili, Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili and the country’s foreign minister David Zalkaliani have condemned the recognition of the independence of Ukraine's Donetsk and Luhansk regions by Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday.
Zourabichvili in her tweet said Russia’s move ”repeats the scenario” which led to the occupation of 20 percent of Georgia’s territories since 2008.
The president further expressed her support for Ukraine’s territorial integrity and peace in the country, addressing Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky with words of support.
???????? strongly condemns Russia’s « recognition » of ????????Ukraines’s Donetsk and Lugansk regions, repeating the scenario that led to the occupation of 20% of our territory. ????????stands by you Pdt Zelensky and in support of???????? ‘s territorial integrity and peace.
— Salome Zourabichvili (@Zourabichvili_S) February 21, 2022
Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili also condemned Russia's recent move, calling it “another step directed against the fundamental principle of international law.”
Garibashvili said the decision by Russia replicated the experience with the Kremlin's recognition of the independence of the occupied Georgian regions of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali (South Ossetia).
The recognition of #Donetsk and #Luhansk by Russia is another step directed against the fundamental principles of international law and unfortunately repeats the occupation of Georgian territories in 2008. We strongly support the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine????????
— Irakli Garibashvili (@GharibashviliGe) February 21, 2022
Foreign minister David Zalkaliani also tweeted about the move by the Russian government, calling on international partners “to respond to another violation of European security and international law.”
Recognition of #Donetsk & #Luhansk by Russia is a violation of fundamental principles of int'l law & repeats t/scenario of recognition & occupation of Abkhazia & Tskhinvali regions in 2008. We call on our int'l partners to respond to another violation of ???????? security & int'l law.
— David Zalkaliani (@DZalkaliani) February 21, 2022
A separate statement was released by the foreign ministry which said “Georgia is following with concern the recent developments around Ukraine, which is a very serious challenge to European and global security.”
It further called the Kremlin's decision a “gross violation” of fundamental principles of international law, expressing support for Ukraine’s territorial integrity, and adding “we hope the international community will give a strong assessment and response to a totally unacceptable attempt to forcibly change the borders of a state in Eastern Europe.”
????????is following with concern the latest devts around????????, which pose serious challenge for the European& Global security. Recognizing????????’s terrs Donetsk& Luhansk by Russia represents a flagrant violation of the fundamental principles of int'l law.
— MFA of Georgia (@MFAgovge) February 21, 2022
Statement???? https://t.co/w1VX2gX53L
Georgian parliament speaker Shalva Papuashvili also reacted to the developments on Twitter:
Recognition of Ukraine’s territories as ‘independent states’ is a blatant violation of international law. Georgia stands in solidarity with #Ukraine. It is critical from international community to act resolutely to avoid war and protect fundamental principles of int. law.
— Shalva Papuashvili (@shpapuashvili) February 21, 2022
Putin’s decision to recognise the independence of Ukrainian regions on February 21 follows a call by the Russia's Security Council on the president to do so, while the Russian State Duma unanimously supported the Communist Party's initiative to the Russian president to recognise the independence of the so-called Donetsk and Luhansk People's Republics.
The international community has condemned the decision of Russia, expressing support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and warning the Russian Federation of the “swift and firm response,” United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken said.