Georgian PM: peace in Ukraine ‘top priority’

Georgia’s Prime Minister, Irakli Kobakhidze, has claimed the country’s authorities wished for the establishment of peace in Ukraine, stressing that the human cost of the war was “a tragedy that must end.”

Speaking to journalists on Tuesday, Kobakhidze described Ukraine as a “friend country” and highlighted the historical ties between the Georgian and Ukrainian peoples.

“Thousands of lives are being lost, which is simply a tragedy, and this tragedy must stop,” he said. “I hope that negotiations will ultimately lead to peace in Ukraine, and consequently, in our region.”

The prime minister also defended his government’s approach, saying Georgia had “consistently stood on the side of peace, despite pressure from domestic and foreign opponents” who, he claimed, promoted “open or indirect propaganda of war.”

Kobakhidze added that recent developments had confirmed Georgia’s stance was “the only alternative.”