Georgian Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili has responded to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine’s internationally recognised borders earlier on Thursday, calling on the international community to make effective and firm steps to stop an escalation into a full-scale conflict.
Papuashvili said Georgia stood with Ukraine in the crisis, following the start of the Russian military operation in Ukraine’s Donbas region just days after the Kremlin’s recognition of independence of the self-proclaimed people’s republics of Donetsk and Luhansk in the east of the country.
Unfortunately, the war in #Ukraine could not be avoided. We once again call on international community to make effective & firm steps to stop Russia escalating into a full-scale conflict & ensure the protection of international norms.
— Shalva Papuashvili (@shpapuashvili) February 24, 2022
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Russian forces began its military operation in Donbas region just days after recognizing the self-proclaimed people’s republics of Donetsk and Luhansk in eastern Ukraine.
President of Russia Vladimir Putin urged Ukrainian soldiers in the east to lay down weapons and return to their homes. He warned Moscow’s response would be “instant” if taken on militarily.
The international community has condemned the Russian moves, expressing support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken warned the Russian Federation of a “swift and firm response”.
The European Union, United States and several other countries have already imposed sanctions on Russia.