FM: Zelenskyy’s “incomprehensible” decision on Georgian Ambassador won't change Georgia's support to Ukraine
"Friends do not deserve such a relationship. We have so far had many cases of incomprehensible, unfair attitude towards Georgia from some Ukrainian politicians. [...] We usually do not react to this”, the FM noted, stressing relations between the two countries would be discussed in the future in bilateral formats. Photo via Foreign Ministry
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Georgian Foreign Minister Ilia Darchiashvili on Wednesday called the decision by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to ask the Georgian Ambassador to leave Ukraine within 48 hours for consultations in Georgia concerning the imprisoned former President Mikheil Saakashvili “incomprehensible and groundless”, but noted Georgia would continue to support Ukraine “as before”.
Darchiashvili emphasised “no irresponsible conduct or decision” would change Georgia’s “responsibility and dignified attitude” towards its partner Ukraine, citing support for the Ukrainian people, including humanitarian, political and diplomatic assistance.
Friends do not deserve such a relationship. We have so far had many cases of incomprehensible, unfair attitude towards Georgia from some Ukrainian politicians. [...] We usually do not react to this”, the FM noted, stressing relations between the two countries would be discussed in the future in bilateral formats.
He explained that everything was “clear” regarding Saakashvili and noted the state treated the rights of all prisoners “responsibly”.
Zelenskyy on Monday called on the Georgian authorities to hand over Saakashvili to Ukraine for the “necessary treatment and care” and instructed the Ukrainian foreign office to summon the Georgian Ambassador to Ukraine, to “express our strong protest” and to ask him to leave Ukraine within 48 hours to hold consultations with his capital.
In its turn, the Georgian foreign office on Tuesday expressed its “deep concern” over the decision of the Ukrainian authorities and noted the move represented an “extreme form of escalation of diplomatic relations”, and said it was “unfortunate that official Kyiv is taking this step against the friendly state and people”.
Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze, the Chair of the Ukrainian Parliament’s Committee on Integration to the European Union, on Monday also criticised Zelenskyy’s decision, calling it “another inappropriate word in diplomacy” from the Ukrainian leadership.