Anything that is dividing Georgia and Ukraine is only benefiting Russia, Kelly Degnan, the US Ambassador to Georgia has stated in response to recent statement of the Ukrainian president’s advisor Oleksiy Arestovych on his country’s “freeing and saving Georgia” in the future, with the use of Ukrainian combatants, which has been condemned by the Georgian Dream authorities. 

“Russia is the only one that benefits when Georgia and Ukraine are arguing with each other. This is really the time to come together. These are two countries that have both been invaded by Russia. These are two countries that have had their sovereignty threatened by Russian aggression. This is the time to come together and push back in whatever way possible to demonstrate that Georgia’s territorial integrity and Georgia’s sovereignty are safe and preserved”, Degnan said. 

The Ambassador has refrained from speaking “on behalf of Mr. Arestovych, a member of the Ukrainian government”, and said that “from the United States’ point of view, we have very consistently and clearly supported Georgia’s aspirations for a European future”. 

“This is the clear desire and preference of the people of Georgia to become part of the European Union, to become part of NATO. The United States has been very pleased to support efforts that are required to achieve that”, she said. 

Degnan stated that “there is a real opportunity now for Georgia, with [the EU] candidate status very close at hand, if the leaders and the people can come together to make the reforms that are necessary to fulfill the 12 priorities”. 

“This needs to be a broad and inclusive process that includes civil society, that includes the opposition, that includes other stakeholders. I think that is really the measure of Georgia’s readiness, and we all are watching to see if Georgia’s leaders can do what is necessary to achieve this goal. That is the clear will of the Georgian people: to become fully integrated into the European family of nations, to obtain the next very important step on that path, which is candidate status”, said the ambassador.