FM Zalkaliani: Russia’s military aggression against Ukraine totally intolerable
In response to Russian troops’ invasion of Ukraine’s internationally recognised borders earlier today, the Georgian top diplomat expressed his support for the partner country, posting a message that said “we stand with Ukraine.” Photo: Georgian foreign ministry.
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Georgian foreign minister David Zalkaliani has called Russia’s military action against Ukraine “totally intolerable,” calling on international partners to “give a strict response” to the violation of the international law and “ensure de-escalation” of the situation in the country.
In response to Russian troops’ invasion of Ukraine’s internationally recognised borders earlier today, the Georgian top diplomat expressed his support for the partner country, posting a message that said “we stand with Ukraine.”
Military aggression launched by Russia against Ukraine is totally intolerable. We #StandWithUkraine and call on our international partners to give a strict response to the violation of the international law by Russia and ensure the de-escalation of the situation.
— David Zalkaliani (@DZalkaliani) February 24, 2022
Along with other Georgian officials, Zalkaliani on Monday condemned Putin’s decision to recognise the independence of Ukraine’s Donetsk and Luhansk regions, urging partners “to respond to another violation of European security and international law.”
The minister also met with Carl Hartzell, the European Union Ambassador to Georgia, and ambassadors of European countries on Wednesday, discussing the ongoing situation in Ukraine and their impact on global and regional security.
The Georgian official stressed the importance of “firm support” from the partner countries amid the ongoing situation and pointed out the significance of maintaining a “united position” over Ukraine.
Russian President Vladimir Putin announced the move earlier on Thursday, following his recognition of independence of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions earlier this week, and called on Ukrainian soldiers “to lay down their arms” and pledging to “demilitarise and denationalise Ukraine.”
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.