Is it wise to hand arms to Ukraine when Georgia has Russian troops on its territory? – ruling party MP

Aluda Ghudushauri, an MP of the ruling Georgian Dream party, on Wednesday asked the “radical wing” of the domestic opposition whether it was wise to hand weapons to Ukraine amid its ongoing war with Russia, when Georgia had experienced Russian aggression before Ukraine and had 20 percent of its territories occupied by Russia. 

“Modern technology makes it possible to somehow measure the distance of the occupier’s military base from their own homes. The Georgian authorities have reiterated its support for Ukraine many times, wishing the country victory in the conflict. In this situation, when we have Russian troops several kilometers far from our homes, is it wise to hand arms to Ukraine?”, asked the MP. 

He noted some of the domestic opposition parties were “irritated” by the policy of the current Georgian government,”which is acting in full accordance with the interests of the Georgian people”. 

The charge d’affaires of Ukraine to Georgia Andriy Kasyanov on Monday told the Ukrainian media that his country had requested Georgia to provide Buk missiles the Ukrainian government “handed” to Georgia during the Russia-Georgia-2008 conflict, as well as Javelin anti-tank systemsGeorgia had purchased from the US in 2017.

The diplomat said the Georgian government had rejected the request. 

The Georgian defence ministry on Tuesday said Tbilisi had bought Buk missiles from Ukraine in 2007 and that it was not a “free” delivery.