Former US official welcomes Georgia “opening doors” to Russian nationals avoiding war in Ukraine
In his remarks over the matter with Georgian media, Weber noted “thousands” of Russian men were trying to avoid participating in the “disgraceful, unprovoked” attack against Ukraine by leaving the country. Photo: InterPressNews
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Andrew Weber, the former United States assistant secretary of defence, on Thursday welcomed the Georgian government’s move to “open the doors” to Russian nationals leaving the country to avoid having to participate in the Kremlin’s war in Ukraine.
In his remarks over the matter with Georgian media, Weber noted “thousands” of Russian men were trying to avoid participating in the “disgraceful, unprovoked” attack against Ukraine by leaving the country.
They come to [places like] Georgia, Kazakhstan. I welcome the opening of doors for refugees from the corrupt system. They don't want to fight against their fraternal Ukrainians in this unnecessary, terrible war”, Weber said.
US ambassador to Georgia Kelly Degnan on Friday said the task for Georgian authorities to address security concerns was “first and foremost”, while they should also support Russian nationals “fleeing repression and war” by crossing the state borders into neighbouring countries.
US ambassador to Georgia Kelly Degnan on Friday said the task for the country’s authorities to address security concerns was “first and foremost”, while they should also support Russian nationals “fleeing repression and war” by crossing the state borders into neighbouring countries.
The Georgian interior ministry on Friday said the flow of Russian nationals across Georgian borders had “significantly decreased” over the past two days, following the recently announced partial mobilisation by the Kremlin to recruit at least 300,000 for its war in Ukraine, which pushed many in the country to flee to evade military service.
Givi Mikanadze, an MP for the ruling Georgian Dream party, on Wednesday said there was “no need at this stage” to convene a meeting of the national security council, in response to president Salome Zourabichvili who on Tuesday said the government could use the format amid a “mass influx” of Russian nationals following the announcement of partial military mobilisation in the country last week.
Issues related to the challenges of increased border crossings into Georgia were discussed on Tuesday in a meeting between Georgian president Salome Zourabichvili and interior minister Vakhtang Gomelauri.