Zelensky Says Ukraine Will Return Ambassador to Georgia as Soon as They Feel Government Support

By Natalia Kochiashvili and Khatia Bzhalava

Tuesday, April 26, 2022

Zelensky stated that even though the distance, he perceives Georgia much closer to Ukraine than Russia.

Press conference at Maidan Nezalezhnosti metro station, Kyiv, April 23.

On April 23, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky gave a press conference for Ukrainian and foreign journalists on the platform of a metro station in Kyiv. During a two-hour conference, the Ukrainian President also answered the questions of Georgian journalists and addressed the ongoing relation between the countries amid Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

The President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky, in response to a question from a Georgian journalist, stated that he did not understand the position of the Georgian authorities and perceived this issue as painful.

“I believe that the Georgian people are one of the closest to Ukraine and the Ukrainian people. After the first revolution we saw great support from them. I do not really understand the current position of the leaders of your government. I do not understand this and that is why I perceive this issue so painfully. I do not think it is really worth what they are going for,” said the Ukrainian President regarding the Georgian government’s position on imposition of sanctions.

Zelensky also answered a question related to the issue of Georgian authorities not imposing sanctions on Russia saying that “I heard messages that they [Georgian authorities] want to protect the country's economy, which economy? Part of the territory of Georgia has already been seized, they [the Russians] have almost reached Tbilisi. I think it is not worth it.”

“I heard messages that they should protect the country's economy. Which economy? Part of the territory of Georgia has already been taken away. They [the Russians] reached almost as far as Tbilisi. Which economy?” he said, adding that staying aside is not worth it.

Zelensky underlined the support, rallies and humanitarian aid of the Georgian people and added that Ukraine will definitely return the ambassador to friendly Georgia as soon as “we feel the support of Ukraine from the leaders of your government.”