Georgian PM: Ukraine recalling Chargé d'Affaires “regrettable”, “can’t help development of relations”
Kobakhidze also highlighted the fact that Georgia’s Ambassador Giorgi Zakarashvili, whom he had praised for “not leaving Ukraine for even a single day since the day war began”, was “practically expelled from the country” in 2022.Photo: Government's Administration.
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Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Wednesday claimed that Ukraine’s decision to recall its Chargé d'Affaires from the country was “regrettable” and did not “help the development of relations.”
Speaking for the press, Kobakhidze noted that “in any case, Georgia remains in the mode of unilateral friendship”, as it was required for “the Ukrainian people and Ukraine”.
The PM stressed Georgia had neither recalled its Ambassador from Ukraine nor made Ukraine recall its diplomat, attributing the responsibility for calling back the Ambassador and “practically” expelling the Georgian diplomat from Ukraine to the Ukrainian side.
The head of the Government pointed out that Ukraine had recalled its Ambassador under two pretexts, allegedly Georgia had not joined the sanctions against Russia since the beginning of the war in Ukraine in 2022, which would have led to the “collapse” of the country's economy, and that Georgia had refused to send volunteer fighters to Ukraine in the same year which would result in the “opening of a second front [amid the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict] in the country”. He added that the public would “draw proper conclusions” about this.
Kobakhidze also highlighted the fact that Georgia’s Ambassador Giorgi Zakarashvili, whom he had praised for “not leaving Ukraine for even a single day since the day war began”, was “practically expelled from the country” in 2022.
The PM pointed out that Georgia’s Ambassador to Ukraine had stayed in the capital Kyiv, even when ambassadors of other countries had left the country after the start of the war, adding that such an action was “not appreciated” by Ukraine.
Kobakhidze on Monday claimed the recall of the Georgian Ambassador from Ukraine was related to his “purchase of a household item” in violation of regulations during wartime conditions.
His comments came after the newly appointed Ukrainian Foreign Minister, Andrii Sybiha, decided last week to recall Mykhailo Kharyshyn from Georgia.