Ukrainian charge d'affaires summoned in Georgian foreign ministry for explanations

Ukrainian charge d'affaires summoned in Georgian foreign ministry for explanations

Andriy Kasianov, the charge d'affaires of Ukraine in Georgia, was on Wednesday summoned in the Georgian foreign ministry for explanations over his recent comments on the possible evacuation of Ukrainian citizens stranded in Georgia, if Russia-Georgia direct flights resumed. 

The diplomat left the meeting with a deputy foreign minister without any comment, with the office confirming the interview was the “single question” discussed. 

In his comments earlier today, the Ukrainian diplomat called on the media representatives “not to misinterpret” his interviews and read their “full and original versions”. 

The European Pravda on Tuesday cited Kasianov as saying that "If they [Russia and Georgia] resume direct air communication and real security risks increase, I want to say that today the embassy does not rule out the possibility of requesting international organisations and our international partners to consider the possibility of assisting in the mass evacuation of Ukrainian citizens from Georgia."

"But I underline: if there are real threats to their lives and safety. We will not sit idly by. We will work and provide everything that depends on us to ensure their protection and safety. This is our main priority," the diplomat added.

The interview came following the January 18 statement of Sergey Lavrov, Russian foreign minister, expressing hopes his country would resume direct flights with Georgia the Kremlin suspended in 2019. 

Several Georgian officials said in response the resumption of flights would benefit thousands of Georgian nationals living in Russia.





Andriy Kasianov, the charge d'affaires of Ukraine in Georgia, was on Wednesday summoned in the Georgian foreign ministry for explanations over his recent comments on the possible evacuation of Ukrainian citizens stranded in Georgia, if Russia-Georgia direct flights resumed. 

The diplomat left the meeting with a deputy foreign minister without any comment, with the office confirming the interview was the “single question” discussed. 

In his comments earlier today, the Ukrainian diplomat called on the media representatives “not to misinterpret” his interviews and read their “full and original versions”. 

The European Pravda on Tuesday cited Kasianov as saying that "If they [Russia and Georgia] resume direct air communication and real security risks increase, I want to say that today the embassy does not rule out the possibility of requesting international organisations and our international partners to consider the possibility of assisting in the mass evacuation of Ukrainian citizens from Georgia."

"But I underline: if there are real threats to their lives and safety. We will not sit idly by. We will work and provide everything that depends on us to ensure their protection and safety. This is our main priority," the diplomat added.

The interview came following the January 18 statement of Sergey Lavrov, Russian foreign minister, expressing hopes his country would resume direct flights with Georgia the Kremlin suspended in 2019. 

Several Georgian officials said in response the resumption of flights would benefit thousands of Georgian nationals living in Russia.