President Zourabichvili: Putin’s actions toward Ukraine “worrying”
Along with other Georgian officials, Zourabichvili on Monday condemned Putin’s decision to recognise the independence of Donetsk and Luhansk regions, calling it the “repetition of the scenarios” - alluding to the events during and after the 2008 Russia-Georgia war - and expressing the support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Photo: President's press office.
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Russian President Vladimir Putin’s actions against Ukraine are “something that we have to worry about” and a threat to Europe’s security, President of Georgia Salome Zourabichvili said on Tuesday while making parallels between the Kremlin’s recognition of the independence of Ukraine's Donetsk and Luhansk regions and its steps against Georgia in 2008.
Talking to international media outlets on Tuesday, Zourabichvili said she had a “deja vu” while talking about the Russian aggression against Ukraine, while also highlighting differences between the 2008 scenario against Georgia and the current tensions over Ukraine.
Zourabichvili said in Ukraine Russia moved “directly to the annexation, without a pretext of war,” calling Putin’s recent decision on recognising the independence of Ukraine’s regions “worrying.”
The whole of Europe should realise that here it’s not only at stake Georgia or Ukraine, at stake is the future and security of the whole of Europe,” the president further added.
Interview with foreign press accredited in Tbilisi to talk foreign policy and ongoing events https://t.co/vxTEVRAkVT
— Salome Zourabichvili (@Zourabichvili_S) February 22, 2022
Zourabichvili said she did not disagree with the Georgian government’s “pragmatic approach” regarding the issue, while answering the question about the legislative body’s support resolution for Ukraine approved on February 1.
The text of the resolution had caused a disagreement between the opposition and the ruling party, with the former objecting to no direct mention of Russia’s forces in the draft. Zourabichvili said “the Georgian government has to be responsible” as “we have two territories occupied, we have population that is suffering,” adding “talking about principles is not easy to balance.”
The Georgian official also noted Russia was “to blame for all the conflicts” regarding Georgia’s occupied regions and the issues over Donetsk and Luhansk, highlighting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s “careful” approach in order not to be deceived by provocations.
She further pointed out Russia had convened its Security Council meeting in 2008 before Georgia did so, highlighting the Ukrainian president’s efforts to “fully mobilise the international community before anything happened” in the current events.
Zourabichvili also talked about Georgia’s Euro-Atlantic integration aspirations and noted the process of continuing on the path was the “most important” topic both for Georgia and Ukraine. She emphasised the significance of a “linear and step-by-step approach,” calling it “less confrontational”. The president pledged she would do her best to support Georgia on the path of its integration to the European Union and NATO.
Along with other Georgian officials, Zourabichvili on Monday condemned Putin’s decision to recognise the independence of Donetsk and Luhansk regions, calling it the “repetition of the scenarios” - alluding to the events during and after the 2008 Russia-Georgia war - and expressing the support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
The Russian president’s decision to recognise the independence of Ukrainian regions followed a call by the Russia's Security Council on the president to do so, with the Russian State Duma unanimously supporting 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 move, expressing support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken warned the Russian Federation of the “swift and firm response”. The European Union, United States and several other countries have already imposed sanctions on Russia.
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