Georgia Condemns Russia’s Recognition of Ukrainian Regions’ Independence
By Khatia Bzhalava
Wednesday, February 23, 2022
Georgian government officials and the President of Georgia have condemned the recognition of the independence of Ukraine's Donetsk and Luhansk regions by Russian President Vladimir Putin.
President Salome Zourabichvili tweeted that Russia’s recognition of Ukrainian regions repeats the scenario that led to the occupation of 20% of Georgia’s territory. The president stressed that Georgia stands by Ukrainian President Zelensky and supports Ukraine’s territorial integrity and peace.
Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili also condemned Russia's recent move, stating that this is yet another step of Russia directed against the fundamental principles of international law and, unfortunately, repeats the Kremlin's recognition of the independence of the occupied Georgian regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia in 2008.
Foreign Minister David Zalkaliani also expressed support towards Ukraine’s territorial integrity and called on international partners to respond to another violation of European security and international law.
A separate statement released by the foreign ministry reads that Georgia is following with concern the recent developments around Ukraine, “which is a very serious challenge to European and global security.” MFA once again reaffirm support towards Ukraine’s territorial integrity and sovereignty and expressed hope that the international community would react and give its strict assessment to the ‘absolutely unacceptable attempt to redraw forcefully the state borders in East Europe’.
According to ex-Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia, who is currently the leader of the political party For Georgia, history is repeating and the west should not make the same mistakes as in 2008. “Allies must act now! We Stand by Ukraine!” he tweeted.
Opposition Lelo party condemned Russia’s actions in its statement on February 22 and expressed hope that the international community would respond strictly by imposing sanctions against Russia and strengthening Ukraine’s security. The party also called on the Parliament to adopt a resolution to condemn Putin’s decision.
The Droa party stressed that Putin’s speech on Monday was “an open declaration of his intentions to restore the Russian Empire, which shows the true motives behind Russia’s previous aggressions and future plans.” The party called on international partners to use personal, as well as economic, financial, and diplomatic sanctions as an instrument against Kremlin’s aggression and also stressed the importance of providing Ukraine with defensive military capabilities.
Representatives of Georgia’s civil society and academic community have addressed Antony Blinken, United States Secretary of State, with a letter concerning the movements of the Russian Federation along Ukraine’s border. According to the letter, representatives of Georgia’s civil society and academic community firmly stand with the Ukrainian people amidst the Russian troop buildup on the Ukrainian border. It is noted that Russia’s ongoing and possible destructive actions pose a threat to Euro-Atlantic security as well as modern international order and put western values and principles at risk.
“The Russian dangerous actions infringe the territorial integrity of Georgia and Ukraine every single day in the 21st century,” reads the letter.
Russian President signed a decree recognizing two breakaway regions in Ukraine's east as independent states on February 21. Soon after signing the decree, Putin ordered troops into eastern Ukrainian regions, calling it a "peacekeeping" mission.
The Council of Europe Secretary-General Marija Pejcinovic Buric has published a statement stressing that the recognition of the so-called ‘people’s republics’ of Donetsk and Luhansk violates international law and the Minsk agreement. The Council of Europe affirms its support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders and calls on the Russian Federation to reverse the decision and “abstain from further aggravating the situation.”
