Georgian president concerned by tension at Ukrainian border

Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili says that she is concerned by recent tension on the Ukrainian border, expressing support for Ukraine.

Tensions between Ukraine and Russia are at their highest in years, with reports of a Russian troop build-up near Russia’s borders with Ukraine causing fears over Moscow’s intentions.

“I want to respond to the alarming situation on the border of our ally. I reaffirm our full support and commitment to Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity; I want to express my solidarity with the Ukrainian people. I believe that Ukraine will withstand the existing tensions and threats and no one will be able to change its current path,” Zurabishvili said.  

She has expressed worries that Georgia is currently preoccupied with actions ‘of a narrow political significance.’ 

“The current situation at the border is what we should be interested in, we should be concerned, because peace and development in the region means peace and development of Georgia,” Zurabishvili stated.

The opposition was demanding a meeting with Zurabishvili today to encourage her to launch talks on a large-scale political amnesty, leading to release of former president Mikheil Saakashvili from prison.