PM says Georgia “strictly monitoring” sanctioned individuals, cargo despite no national sanctions against Russia

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Tuesday said while his Government had not imposed national sanctions against Russia amid the ongoing war in Ukraine, “all relevant state agencies” of the country were “strictly monitoring” sanctioned individuals and cargo to ensure no avoidance of the restrictions was taking place.

The Government of Georgia is in close coordination with the European Union, the United Kingdom, the United States and other states in supervising the enforcement of sanctions against Russia”, he said.

In comments to the media on the sidelines of the Ukraine Recovery Conference in Berlin, Kobakhidze also said his Government had provided “substantial” humanitarian aid to Ukraine and was offering support to Ukrainian citizens currently residing in Georgia.

Georgia has initiated, signed or supported over 600 resolutions, statements, joint statements and other initiatives of international organisations and institutions in solidarity with Ukraine [...] More than 1,000 tonnes of humanitarian cargo have been sent to Ukraine, while Georgia has also allocated over ₾35 million ($12.55mln) in aid to Ukraine and continues to assist 26,000 Ukrainians affected by the war who are currently residing in the country”, the Prime Minister said.

After 2022, Ukrainian individuals who have sought refuge in Georgia due to the ongoing conflict have been receiving financial assistance similar to one for displaced individuals from the Russian-occupied Georgian territories of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali region”, he added.

Kobakhidze also said the Georgian education system had welcomed over 2,300 Ukrainian students, the majority of whom were receiving secondary education in the Ukrainian language in line with the standard curriculum used in their country.

He added Georgian youth camps would host children of servicemembers of the Ukrainian Armed Forces and National Guard from Kharkiv and Kyiv during the summer to provide respite from challenges of the conflict.