US Ambassador highlights Georgia’s support for Ukraine amid ongoing war
In her remarks over the matter, Degnan noted the “sensitive situation” of Georgia, in the context of the ongoing occupation of a fifth of the country’s territory by Russia since the 2008 war between the states, was widely understood. Photo: US Embassy in Tbilisi
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Kelly Degnan, the United States Ambassador to Georgia, on Monday said Georgia had “done many things” in support of Ukraine in the ongoing Russian invasion of the country, particularly noting the humanitarian dimension of the assistance provided by Georgian authorities.
In her remarks over the matter, Degnan noted the “sensitive situation” of Georgia, in the context of the ongoing occupation of a fifth of the country’s territory by Russia since the 2008 war between the states, was widely understood.
Georgia has done many things, especially in the humanitarian area, by voting in the international forum, and, that is what is important, each country determines what it is comfortable doing”, Degnan said in reference to votes by Georgian authorities in international bodies condemning the invasion of Ukraine.
“Everyone is very well aware of the sensitive situation Georgia is in because 20 percent of your territory is occupied by Russia. So, that is the context, and we just again urge Georgia and Ukraine to discuss those matters in private”, she noted.
The Ambassador’s comments follow a series of statements by some Ukrainian officials about an alleged lack of support from the Georgian Government since the breakout of hostilities, including their claims of the Georgian authorities’ refusal to aid Ukraine’s war effort through arms provision.
In response to the latter claims, Nikoloz Samkharadze, the Chair of the Georgian Parliament's Foreign Relations Committee, earlier this month said the Government had stated “very clearly” and “from the beginning” its position on support for Ukraine “in everything except transfer of weapons” to the country.
The Georgian Parliament official stressed the position of official Tbilisi on provision of arms would not change, and pointed out the country was “not in a position to hand over any weapons to anyone” due to the ongoing Russian occupation of the Georgian regions of Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) and Abkhazia.