Ukraine’s “concerns” over ex-Pres. Saakashvili “misguided”, creating problems in Georgia-Ukraine relations - Georgian Ambassador

The Georgian Ambassador to Ukraine, Giorgi Zakarashvili said on Wednesday, after the meeting with Ukrainian Deputy Foreign Minister Yevhen Perebyinis, he had explained to the Ukrainian side that their “requests and concerns” regarding the imprisoned former President Mikheil Saakashvili were “misguided”, that was confirmed several times by Georgian authorities and the European Court of Human Rights, which in May rejected Saakashvili’s request to be transferred abroad for treatment. 

Ukrainian President Volodymyr 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 in Tbilisi.

In his comments after the meeting, Zakarashvili noted he “obviously” agreed to leave the country, as it had been ordered by the Ukrainian President, but emphasised that “events like this” would hinder the development of bilateral relations between Georgia and Ukraine and create “certain problems”, including communication between the two states.

It was also noted [at the meeting] and the Ukrainian side knows it quite well, especially the Foreign Ministry, that from the very first day of the Russian intervention [in Ukraine], Georgia has been providing maximum humanitarian and political support to Ukraine, including in all international arenas, in the United Nations, OSCE, Council of Europe, in all important international organisations”, Zakarashvili stressed.

He added Georgia stood with Ukraine in everything, including sending humanitarian cargo to the country, carrying out other humanitarian projects and hosting more than 300 Ukrainian children in Georgia on holidays.

The Ambassador emphasised that despite “these recent events”, Georgia would continue to provide help to its “friendly country” - Ukraine and its people.

Earlier today, Georgian Foreign Minister Ilia Darchiashvili called Zelenskyy’s decision “incomprehensible and groundless”, but noted Georgia would continue to support Ukraine “as before”, emphasising “no irresponsible conduct or decision” would change Georgia’s “responsibility and dignified attitude” towards its partner Ukraine.

In response to Zelenskyy’s decision 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.