Parliament official slams Ukrainian MP for statements “harmful to friendship” between countries

Archil Talakvadze, the Vice Speaker of the Georgian Parliament, on Monday slammed David Arakhamia, a member of the ruling People's Servant party in the Ukrainian Rada, by saying it was “sad” to see a high-ranking official of a country “in a severe war find time to make statements on Georgian internal political issues”. 

Talakvadze’s reaction followed a comment by Arakhamia, a politician of Georgian descent, who on Sunday told the Georgian-based Mtavari Arkhi channel he had intended to attend the funeral of the acclaimed Georgian film actor Vakhtang Kikabidze after his passing away in January, but was warned by the "American officials" of potential “issues” he could face if he crossed the border into Georgia.

The remark came after a series of spats between Arakhamia and some other Ukrainian officials on the one hand, and Georgian Government officials on the other, on the backdrop of the ongoing war in Ukraine and accusations of a lack of support from Georgia to Ukraine.

In his response, Talakvadze said he would not make “any comment” on the claim but added the remarks in the interview showed “how far removed [Arakhamia] is from the issues and actual interests of the Ukrainian people at war”.

When we continue to provide unconditional and firm support to Ukraine, when the Georgian Government [and] the entire public stands with Ukraine, a political person, a member of the Ukrainian Parliament finds time to make statements on the internal political processes in Georgia and statements that harm the friendship between Georgia and Ukraine”, he said.

Talakvadze also stressed the public in Georgia was “united” with the Government in the efforts to “become a member of the European family”, in reference to ongoing work to meet the European Union conditions to grant the country its membership candidate status, and added “nobody should have the illusion that they can separate the Government [and] the public”.