PM stresses Georgia will “never get involved” in Ukraine war, pledges humanitarian support

In his remarks over the matter, Garibashvili noted the stance of his Government over the question of providing military aid to Ukraine - which Ukrainian authorities have said they have repeatedly appealed for - was “unchanged”. Photo: Government Administration

Agenda.ge, 07 Dec 2022 - 18:46, Tbilisi,Georgia

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili on Wednesday said the country would “never get involved” in the ongoing war in Ukraine, stressing the policy as “our clear position”.

In his remarks over the matter, Garibashvili noted the stance of his Government over the question of providing military aid to Ukraine - which Ukrainian authorities have said they have repeatedly appealed for - was “unchanged”.

We have clearly said that we will not [provide military aid], we will never get involved in this conflict, in this war as a state - this is our clear position. I, as the Prime Minister [as well as] our team, the ruling team are responsible before our people”, Garibashvili told local media.

The head of the Government also highlighted humanitarian aid for Ukraine, noting Georgia was the leading source of humanitarian packages sent to the country via post among 190 states, adding “this aid will continue”.

“After this terrible war started in Ukraine, we [as a] nation came together, the public came together with the Government, and we sent over 1,000 tons of humanitarian cargo. According to the data of the Ukrainian Post, we were the first among 190 countries sending humanitarian aid to Ukraine”, he continued.

We have also helped Ukrainian refugees here, we provided maximum support to them, and this aid continues even now. [...] As for other additional aid, humanitarian aid, we will once again consider ways to help, and of course we will continue providing this aid”, he noted.

Garibashvili also noted Ukrainian Government officials, including the Secretary of the Security Council, had “publicly stated their desire” for a “second front to be opened in Georgia” amid the Russian invasion.

We know even more information - which, unfortunately, is not to be disclosed publicly - but thank God today there is the ruling Georgian Dream party and [...] the Government that has decided that the main and supreme [priority] for us is the interests of our people and our country”, Garibashvili said.

The Prime Minister also addressed Georgian volunteers fighting in Ukraine and wished them “good health and a peaceful return to Georgia”.

“I would like to express my sincere condolences once again to the family members of all those who died in Ukraine. This is a tragedy, a great loss, and we all feel it”, he pointed out.

I would like to appeal to everyone - including the most radical, degraded, immoral [domestic] opposition - [by stressing that] speculating about the death of a person - especially the death of a person in war - is completely immoral and hypocritical”, Garibashvili continued.

He also stressed Georgia supported Ukraine's independence, freedom and territorial integrity, adding “of course, we want this war to end as soon as possible”.