Georgian Defence Minister: recall of ambassador by Kyiv was a mistake

Georgian Defence Minister Juansher Burchuladze says that the recent recall of the ambassador by Kyiv was a “mistake,” stating that “”the sooner we forget any grievances, the faster our countries will develop and peace will come.” 

Burchuladze said “it is hard to find any other country where Ukrainians are treated in the way they are in Georgia.” 

He stated that the wording that Georgia has not joined  sanctions imposed on Russia is not correct.

“Georgia has joined all critical sanctions, be it the UN, the Council of Europe or something else. Imposing sanctions on Russia will have no effect on the aggressor, while the Georgian people will be affected much,” Burchuladze said today.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on the weekend that “Georgians are one of the closest people to Ukrainians,”  but  he could not understand the position of Georgian leaders.

“I do not understand and that is why I perceive it so painfully. And I do not think it’s worth what they are going for,” Zelensky told Georgian journalists on April 24.

“I have heard messages that we should protect our economy. Which economy? Part of the Georgian  territory has already been taken away. They (Russians) have  almost reached Tbilisi. Which economy? All this is not worth it, I think so,” Zelensky said.

He stated that the ambassador would be returned as soon as Kyiv “ feels the support of the Georgian government.”