Gov’t doing its “utmost” in aid of Ukraine considering Russian threats - Defence Minister

Georgian Defence Minister Juansher Burchuladze on Thursday said his Government was doing its “utmost” in supporting Ukraine in its defence from the Russian invasion, considering the presence of Russian troops in Georgia’s occupied regions.

Burchuladze made the remark while laying a wreath at the memorial of young military cadets who died defending Georgia’s three-year independent republic from the February 1921 invasion of the Red Army.

The Minister highlighted the ongoing occupation of 20 percent of Georgian sovereign territory by Russia since the 2008 war between the two states to the public and the country’s foreign partners, saying the occupation was a “special circumstance” in the context of the support for Ukraine.

Everyone - including our partners, our citizens - should understand well that Georgia’s situation is different. Our territories are occupied, and considering this reality, the Government is ensuring maximum aid to Ukraine and, at the same time [working to] prevent risks of repeated conflicts”, Burchuladze told the media. 

• Georgia “most supportive” to Ukraine “considering circumstances” - Parliament Speaker

Georgian Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili also said on Monday his country was “most supportive” to Ukraine “considering the circumstances” related to the presence of Russian troops in the occupied Abkhazia and Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) regions, as well as a lack of “any international political or economic umbrella” protecting the country.