Parliament official criticises Ukrainian envoy’s comment on evacuating citizens from Georgia, vows support for Ukraine
In his remarks, Talakvadze said the diplomat’s comment “looked more like a political assessment and a political statement” than a diplomatic message. Photo: Parliament of Georgia
Tweet 
Share
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”.
Irakli Kadagishvili, the Chair of the Rules and Procedural Issues Committee of the Parliament of Georgia, on Tuesday said the charge d'affaires of Ukraine to Georgia, Andriy Kasyanov’s “shocking” statement on Tbilisi’s refusal to provide arms for Ukraine in its ongoing war with Russia had been instructed by Ukrainian Government, as the diplomat would not make such statements “independently”.
Gia Tsagareishvili, an MP of the ruling Georgian Dream party, on Monday accused Andriy Kasyanov, the charge d'affaires of Ukraine to Georgia, of making “provocative statements” over Tbilisi’s refusal to provide arms for Ukraine in its ongoing war with Russia.
Irakli Chikovani, an MP from the ruling Georgian Dream party, on Tuesday castigated Andriy Kasyanov, the Ukrainian Charge D'affaires in Georgia, for having “gone beyond all diplomatic framework” with his comment on a possible evacuation of Ukrainian nationals in Georgia in case of an inflow of Russian citizens and “subsequent threats” to the former.
Irakli Kobakhidze, the Head of the ruling Georgian Dream party, on Tuesday called “shameful” the recent statement of Andriy Kasianov, the Ukrainian Charge D'affaires in Georgia, on possible evacuation of Ukrainians stranded in Georgia due to the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, in case of resumption of flights between Georgia and Russia.
Citizens opposition party MP Aleko Elisashvili on Wednesday called on the Ukrainian Government to replace Andrii Kasianov, the country’s Charge D'affaires in Georgia, following an interview in which the diplomat said his office could facilitate evacuation of Ukrainian nationals from Georgia in case of “threats” from a “mass influx” of Russian citizens in the country.
Andriy Kasyanov, the Ukrainian Charge D'affaires in Georgia, was on Wednesday summoned to the country’s foreign office for explanations over his recent interview that suggested a possible evacuation of Ukrainian citizens from Georgia due to possible “threats” from an “influx” of Russian nationals to the country.
The Foreign Ministry of Ukraine on Wednesday expressed its gratitude to Georgia for receiving Ukrainian refugees and assisting them, confirming there was “no danger” to them in Georgia, at the meeting between the Ambassador of Georgia to Ukraine Giorgi Zakarashvili and the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Yevhen Perebyinis.
Citizens opposition party MP Aleko Elisashvili on Thursday rebuked the Ukrainian foreign office following its statement on the possible resumption of direct flights between Georgia and Russia, pointing out the matter was “not for the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry to decide”.
Citizens opposition party MP Aleko Elisashvili on Thursday rebuked the former Georgian President Giorgi Margvelashvili for his “astonishing” comment that said the possibility of Georgian troops being sent to aid Russia’s war in Ukraine in the future was “realistic”.