Gov’t expresses “deep concern” over Ukrainian authorities’ attitude in visit of wanted former official to EU, Germany

The Georgian Government on Monday expressed its “deep concern” over the “attitude demonstrated by the Ukrainian authorities towards the friendly country of Georgia and its people” through the recent inclusion of the wanted former official Zurab Adeishvili in an official delegation of Ukraine to the European Union and Germany.

In the statement, the Government called “several decisions” made by the Ukrainian authorities “regrettable and deeply troubling”, and said they “blatantly contradict the traditional friendship” established between the two countries and peoples.

For a considerable time, we refrained from taking a stance on the attitude demonstrated by the Ukrainian authorities due to its engagement in the war and its defence against Russian military aggression. However, following Zurab Adeishvili's visit as part of the Ukrainian delegation to Brussels and Berlin, we find it necessary to express our position clearly”, the statement said.

The Government said it had “consistently expressed solidarity” with the Ukrainian state and its people, condemning Russia's ongoing military aggression.

Georgia has officially endorsed over 600 decisions made on international platforms in support of Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity, thereby condemning Russia's military actions. Additionally, Georgia has been providing substantial humanitarian aid to the friendly Ukrainian people to this day”, the statement noted.

The statement further added it was “crucial and imperative for the normalisation of relations” that the Ukrainian authorities extradite wanted “criminals currently holding high positions” in their administration to Georgia.