Parliament official criticises Ukrainian envoy’s comment on evacuating citizens from Georgia, vows support for Ukraine

Archil Talakvadze, the Georgian Parliament’s Vice Speaker, on Wednesday rejected the comment of Andriy Kasyanov, the Ukrainian Charge D'affaires in Georgia, on plans for evacuating Ukrainian nationals from Georgia as “removed from reality”, and said the Government was doing “everything it can” to support Ukraine in the ongoing war with Russia.

Kasyanov made the remark in an interview for European Pravda on Tuesday, saying his office was discussing the possibility of the evacuation, as resumption of flights between Georgia and Russia could cause a “mass influx” of Russian nationals in the former and pose “threats” for the Ukrainian citizens who have been residing in the country following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine that started in February 2022.

In his remarks, Talakvadze said the diplomat’s comment “looked more like a political assessment and a political statement” than a diplomatic message.

“When we hear such kind of reprimands, we don't think they are fair, but of course, Georgia will not change its policy and its support towards Ukraine, even after Kasyanov's statement”, he noted.

We will continue to support Ukraine. I am sure that when the war ends and peaceful days return, Ukrainian authorities and Ukrainian public will once again positively assess what Georgia is doing for its friend [state]”, the Parliament official added.

Talakvadze also stressed the “most important thing” on the backdrop of the conflict was to ensure Ukraine's territorial integrity, sovereignty and struggle for freedom ended with consideration of the country’s interests.

He also stressed the significance of the outcome’s compliance with international law, and of Ukraine’s ability to “make its own decisions about its peaceful future”.