Parliament official rejects idea of “second front” of Ukraine war in Georgia following former UNM Interior Minister criticism
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. Photo: Parliament of Georgia
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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.
Sarjveladze was commenting after Vano Merabishvili, a member of the United National Movement opposition party and the former Interior Minister, on Saturday told the Ukrainian media he was “ashamed” that “Georgia does not participate and is not on the side of Ukraine in this war”.
Under no circumstances can Georgia allow itself to open a second front in the country and thereby help Ukraine. In no case will this be a relevant and correct decision, a decision in line with the interests of Georgia”, the Parliament official said in his response.
“As for all other issues - starting with humanitarian aid and ending with political support [for Ukraine] - Georgia has never deviated from the main line [of ensuring aid] and therefore, whenever and wherever there is an opportunity, Georgia expresses its support for Ukraine and the Ukrainian people”, he continued.
Sarjveladze stressed it was Georgia's “duty” to support Ukraine, but added “this does not mean that it would justify the opening of a second front in Georgia” as “it is our duty to protect Georgia from this”.
Of course, sooner or later, these intentions of Merabishvili were going to become known, because they [the domestic opposition] have completely different priorities on the agenda. They choose this path as a possible way to take some steps forward to take over the Government, even though it could be a disaster for Georgia”, he concluded.
Georgia’s former Interior Minister Vano Merabishvili on Wednesday claimed ensuring the release of the imprisoned former President Mikheil Saakashvili was one of the goals of the public protests held this week in Tbilisi over the controversial bill on transparency of foreign influence.
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.
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili on Sunday said his Government "would not allow" the country's involvement in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict through opening the "second front" for Russia until in office.
Georgia was able to show “maximum solidarity” with Ukraine, without receiving any protection from the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation or economic aid from the European Union, Georgian Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili said on Saturday.
Irakli Zarkua, an MP from the ruling Georgian Dream party, on Monday highlighted the need for “peaceful development” and European integration for the country.
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.
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili on Wednesday claimed the idea of a “second front” in the country amid the ongoing war in Ukraine was coming from the Ukrainian high ranking officials who had said that “their interest was to open a second front in Georgia and Moldova” amid the war in their country.