Georgian PM slams Zelenskyy for responding “destructive rally” in Tbilisi
The Georgian PM on Sunday responded to the Ukrainian president’s address to demonstrators in Tbilisi. Photo: Government press office
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Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili on Sunday criticized Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy for responding to a “destructive rally” in Tbilisi this week related to the controversial transparency bill on foreign influence.
Speaking with Imedi TV, the PM stressed when a “person at war [with Russia] finds time to respond to a destructive rally in Tbilisi by several thousand people, this is direct evidence that he is involved, motivated to make something happen, change here”.
Let me say in a few words that a very difficult situation exists in Ukraine. Greater escalation is expected and Ukraine is preparing certain counter-attacks, according to our information. Very hard fights are most probably ahead in the Donetsk region at large and after claiming Bakhmut, the situation will become more difficult and escalation will grow. You mentioned the address made by Zelenskyy. Now, when a person at war finds time to comment on a destructive rally of several thousand people, it is clear evidence that he is vested and interested in something to happen here and cause a change." he said.
Pointing to several Ukrainian politicians, citing them as “losers”, the PM highlighted the people were speaking about the “necessity of changes, coup” in Georgia, adding “this is a direct involvement”.
You mentioned Ukrainian politicians. I do not want to list the names. Klitschko made an appearance. Some unclear persons spoke as well along with others, Ukrainian politicians, Arakhamia with some losers, who claim that change is needed and scenarios are rumored with a coup d’etat. It is a direct interference. I do not wish to go any further. Person is at war. I want to wish a timely completion of the war and peace, success and unification of the country to everyone. However, first take care of yourselves and your own country. We will take care of ours!” Garibashvili concluded.
Wishing Ukraine success, a “timely compilation” of the ongoing war and “peace”, Garibashvili told the Ukrainian politicians "let's first look after yourselves and your country and we will look after our country”.
He also said “very complicated situation” was in Ukraine with the latter expected to also launch “certain counter-attacks” soon, adding “further escalation is expected”.
Garibashvili stressed his country had ensured more humanitarian aid for Ukraine than “any other state in the world”, and also supported the country “in all international formats”.
“The Georgian Government has done its utmost in support of Ukraine. We have opened schools in the Ukrainian language. We, as a small country, have shown all our heart”, he said.
Young demonstrators on Friday prevented Giorgi Vashadze, the head of the Strategy Agmashenebeli opposition party, from addressing the audience outside the Parliament in Tbilisi before they ended the rally against the now-shelved controversial bill on transparency of foreign influence.
Aleksandre Rakviashvili, an MP of the Girchi opposition party, on Thursday said the calls by Giorgi Vashadze, the Chair of the Strategy Agmashenebeli party, for demonstrators protesting the foreign influence transparency bill in Tbilisi on Wednesday to “besiege” the Parliament building had been “irresponsible”.
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili on Sunday said the Government's opponents had used a “sensitive topic” of Russian occupation to “mislead” the public over the controversial transparency bill that was rejected by the Parliament this week amid protests.
Mikheil Sarjveladze, the Chair of the Georgian Parliament's Committee on Human Rights, on Monday said “under no circumstances could Georgia allow itself to open a second front” of the ongoing war in Ukraine in the country.
The Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili said on Sunday not only members of "anarchist, destructive movement", but also "enthusiastic students" stood at transparency bill rallies outside the Parliament in central Tbilisi on Tuesday and Wednesday, adding they were “not so aggressive”, they protested “calmly” and supported the idea of Europe.
Irakli Kobakhidze, the Chair of the ruling Georgian Dream party, on Tuesday said the Government of the ruling Georgian Dream party was the “guarantor” against the scenario of the “second front” of the war in Ukraine being opened in Georgia.
The European Union delegation to Georgia on Thursday welcomed the announcement by the ruling Georgian Dream party on withdrawal of the draft legislation on transparency of foreign influence.