Ruling party MP: “disappointing” the opposition put “sincere protest” against the Russian aggression at “own service”

Mikheil Sarjveladze, an MP from the ruling Georgian Dream party, has said the political opposition in Georgia has used “sincere protest” of citizens against the Russian aggression in Ukraine for “own service”, calling the developments “disappointing” on Wednesday.

The GD MP said the opposition’s demands concerning the government’s stance on the ongoing war were “unequivocally” aimed at destabilising Georgia.

It is very disappointing to see that the opposition forces somehow managed to put this courageous and sincere protest against the Russian aggression at their own service, Mikheil Sarjveladze said.

Opposition parties have criticised the government’s refusal to join economic sanctions against Russia, and its prevention of the departure of volunteers to join combat to defend Ukraine, over the recent days.

Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili has responded to the former claim by explaining his government wanted to avoid economic harm to own citizens by joining the sanctions, while GD Chairman Irakli Kobakhidze said the government would avoid involving the country in the hostilities by allowing departure of volunteers "in the interests of the people”.

In his response to the criticism, Georgian Foreign Minister David Zalkaliani on Tuesday said his government’s stance on the conflict in Ukraine was "absolutely clear" to the country's Western partners.