Thousands gather to express support for Ukraine in Tbilisi
People initially gathered near the government administration office and later proceeded in front of the parliament building. Photo: Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge
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Thousands of citizens attended a solidarity rally for Ukraine in Georgia's capital Tbilisi on Friday evening, expressing their support for Ukraine amid the ongoing Russian invasion and demanding Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili's resignation over his rejection to join sanctions on Russia.
People initially gathered near the government administration office and later proceeded in front of the parliament building, condemning Russia's aggression against Ukraine and denouncing Garibashvili's remarks.
Photo: Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge
The demonstrators asserted the majority of the Georgian population disagreed with the Georgian PM's decision not to join the sanctions placed on Russia by multiple countries.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky thanked the people of Georgia for support, noting "there are times when citizens are not the government, but better the government."
Incredible Georgian people who understand that friends must be supported! ???????????????? Grateful to everyone in Tbilisi and other cities who came out in support of Ukraine and against the war. Indeed, there are times when citizens are not the Government, but better the Government.
— Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) February 25, 2022
Photo: Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge
Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili praised President Zelensky for the "lesson of bravery and dedication," reaffirming Georgia's support for Ukraine.
The whole world is admiring the lesson of bravery and dedication of President Zelensky, his team, his soldiers and his whole nation. #SlavaUkraini " - she wrote.
Georgia????????with???????? pic.twitter.com/7ijUeMgJCM
— Salome Zourabichvili (@Zourabichvili_S) February 25, 2022
The solidarity rally for Ukraine was organised following the Georgian PM's statement that Georgia would not be joining the sanctions placed against Russia as a response to its attack on Ukraine. Garibashvili maintained that imposing sanctions on Russia would hurt Georgia's economy.
Opposition politicians have accused the ruling Georgian Dream party of cowardice after the latter’s refused to participate in today’s extraordinary parliamentary session on Russia’s ongoing military invasion of Ukraine.
Prime Minister of Georgia Irakli Garibashvili has called on the international community to do everything possible to stop hostilities in Ukraine, in a statement following the beginning of Russia’s military action on Thursday.
Georgian foreign minister David Zalkaliani condemned the Kremlin’s ongoing military invasion of Ukraine at the OSCE Reinforced Permanent Council Meeting yesterday, where he reiterated “full support” for Ukraine.
Peaceful demonstrations were held in various Georgian cities on Thursday evening to express solidarity for the Ukrainian people following Russia's military invasion of Ukraine.
Civilians have gathered in Georgia's capital of Tbilisi, as well as cities of Gori, Kutaisi, Zugdidi, Poti and Batumi to condemn Russia's aggression against Ukraine.
Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili praised her Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky for being an "exemplary leader" in the wake of Russia's ongoing military invasion of Ukraine following a telephone conversation on Saturday evening.
Iryna Vereshchuk, a Ukrainian deputy prime minister and minister for reconciliation of temporary occupied territories, on Thursday asked the Georgian government and authorities of Poland, Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania to allow Crimean Tatars to cross into their countries to escape the recently announced partial military mobilisation by Russia for its ongoing war against Ukraine.