Georgian Patriarch Ilia II calls for end to hostilities in Ukraine “as soon as possible”
In the statement, the head of the religious body said there was still an avenue for “normalising the situation” and to maintaining peace in Ukraine. Photo: Patriarchate of Georgia.
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Ilia II, the Catholicos Patriarch of Georgia, has responded to the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the breakout of hostilities by calling for an end to the clashes “as soon as possible”.
The official Twitter account of the head of the Georgian Orthodox Church posted a message warning of a “world tragedy” unless the developments in the east of Ukraine were halted.
A separate statement, released by the Patriarchate, highlighted the matter of Ukraine’s territorial integrity, based on “Georgia's bitter experience” with its occupied territories since the 2008 Russia-Georgia war.
The hostilities in #Ukraine must be stopped as soon as possible; otherwise, they will develop into a world tragedy!
— Patriarch Ilia II (@patriarchGEO) February 24, 2022
In the statement, the head of the religious body said there was still an avenue for “normalising the situation” and to maintaining peace in Ukraine.
Russian President Vladimir Putin announced the beginning of the military action earlier on Thursday, following his recognition of independence of Ukraine’s Donetsk and Luhansk regions earlier this week, and called on Ukrainian soldiers “to lay down their arms” and pledging to “demilitarise and denationalise Ukraine.”
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.
Prime Minister of Georgia Irakli Garibashvili has condemned the beginning of the Russian military action on Ukraine earlier today, calling it “unacceptable” and expressing support for the country.
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.
Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili has responded to the Kremlin’s invasion of Ukraine’s internationally recognised borders earlier today, calling it “shocking” for Georgia and expressing solidarity with the country.
Prime Minister of Georgia Irakli Garibashvili has praised the role of the Georgian Orthodox Church as “crucial” in the development of the nation, in comments marking an anniversary of the 1917 restoration of its independence from Russian religious authorities on Friday.
Important issues for Georgia and current events in the world were discussed on Tuesday in a meeting between Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili and the Catholicos Patriarch of Georgia Ilia II.
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili on Monday noted the “great honour” and a “pleasure” in meeting Ilia II, the Catholicos Patriarch of the Georgian Orthodox Church, earlier during the day.