Shalva Papuashvili Critiques Ukraine's Moral Pedestal in Relations with Georgia
By Liza Mchedlidze
Friday, July 21, 2023
Shalva Papuashvili, the Chairman of the Parliament of Georgia, expressed that Ukraine may have the moral advantage to engage in discussions with many countries of the European Union or the West from a moral standpoint. However, he believes that the Ukrainian government lacks the right to address Georgia from a moral pedestal, considering Georgia's history of enduring three wars with Russia.
Papuashvili stated that for a considerable period and due to various reasons, Georgia has been considerate of the Ukrainian authorities due to their fondness for the Ukrainian people. He explained that despite the situation, they have refrained from making unnecessary comments. According to Papuashvili, the Ukrainian authorities have chosen to attack the Georgian people as part of their policy, and this has been an ongoing issue for years.
He pointed out specific instances of this attack, such as the appointment of Mikheil Saakashvili as an adviser to the president and the involvement of the 'criminal' Adeishvili, who currently holds a prominent position in the General Prosecutor's Office of Ukraine. Papuashvili alleged that the counterintelligence of Ukraine was involved, with high-ranking officials facilitating Mikheil Saakashvili's unauthorized entry into Georgia. He asserted that they know the organizers behind these actions, with Gia Lortkipanidze being a key figure and deputy head of the counterintelligence department.
Papuashvili expressed his dissatisfaction with the Ukrainian government's actions, as they did not hand over these individuals, whom Georgia considers criminals, to their authorities for justice and accountability. Instead, the Ukrainian government protected and promoted them, leading Papuashvili to criticize their role in sheltering and supporting these individuals who are involved in what Georgia views as attacks against its people.
"For a considerable period and due to various reasons, we have been considerate of the Ukrainian authorities because of our fondness for the Ukrainian people. We acknowledge this responsibility, and it is well-known that we refrain from making unnecessary comments when the Ukrainian authorities adopt a policy of attacking the Georgian people, which has been an ongoing issue for years.
This attack was evident in the appointment of Mikheil Saakashvili as an adviser to the president and the presence of Adeishvili, a criminal, among the main leaders of the General Prosecutor's Office of Ukraine. Furthermore, the counterintelligence of Ukraine, including top intelligence officials, orchestrated Mikheil Saakashvili's unauthorized entry into Georgia. We now have direct knowledge of the organizers, with Gia Lortkipanidze being one of the main figures, the deputy head of the counterintelligence department.
Rather than handing over these criminals to the Ukrainian authorities for justice in Georgia and for the well-being of the Georgian people, the Ukrainian government chose to shelter and promote them, making them part of their government," explained Papuashvili.
According to the Parliament Chairman, the current situation does not impact Georgia's attitude towards the Ukrainian people and the state. He expressed that they hold respect for the state and people of Ukraine. However, he believes that the present government of Ukraine is neglecting the interests of its own people by engaging in actions that attack the Georgian people.
Papuashvili predicted that with time, the ongoing conflict would come to an end, and the Ukrainian people would reevaluate the situation. He believes that eventually, they will recognize that Georgia and its people have been the most sincere supporters of Ukraine throughout this war.
"We respect the state and people of Ukraine; unfortunately, the government of Ukraine today is neglecting the interests of its own people by attacking the Georgian people. Time will pass, and this war will eventually end. The Ukrainian people will have the opportunity to reevaluate the situation and come to the realization that Georgia and the Georgian people were the most sincere supporters of Ukraine during this conflict. However, it is regrettable that this specific faction within the Ukrainian government has chosen to attack Georgia and its people," Papuashvili said.
Papuashvili expressed that while Ukraine may have the moral advantage to engage with many countries from a moral standpoint, he believes that the Ukrainian government lacks the right to talk to Georgia from a moral pedestal. He pointed out that Georgia itself has gone through three wars with Russia, and as a result, the Ukrainian government does not possess the moral authority to address the Georgian people, Georgia, or its government from a moral standpoint.
According to the Parliament Chairman, the Ukrainian government is attacking the Georgian people by spreading disinformation regarding the circumvention of sanctions. He mentioned that this part of the Ukrainian government's involvement was unfriendly behavior.
"The Ukrainian government is attacking the Georgian people by spreading disinformation regarding the circumvention of sanctions. This involvement of the Ukrainian government was also unfriendly behavior.
Georgia turned out to be the only country for Ukraine that did not feel the need to have an ambassador with the Georgian people, and it believed that the Georgian people should not have an ambassador in their own capital, which was surrounded by bullets. All the ambassadors - of the USA, the European Union - left the country, and the only one that remained was the ambassador of Georgia and the Georgian flag. Despite this, President Zelensky did not express a single thank you for this ambassador. Instead, in fact, he was expelled from the country, so the Ukrainian authorities have no right to speak to Georgia from a moral pedestal," stated Papuashvili.
