Kyiv requested Buk missiles, Javelins from Tbilisi – Ukrainian diplomat

Andriy Kasyanov, the charge d’affaires of Ukraine to Georgia, on Monday said his Government had requested the Buk missiles from Tbilisi it had handed the latter during the Russia-Georgia 2008 war, as well as the Javelin anti-tank systems Georgia had purchased from the United States in previous years for its ongoing conflict with Russia. 

In his article for the European Pravda, the diplomat stressed Tbilisi “strongly rejected” the request, also dismissing the claims by the Georgian government members that Kyiv was interested in “dragging” Georgia in its ongoing conflict. 

Kasyanov also said Washington could provide Georgia with a newer batch of Javelins if the latter accepted the handover of the anti-tank systems. 

Givi Mikanadze and Gia Tsagareishvili, the lawmakers of the ruling Georgian Dream party, have accused the diplomat of making “provocative statements” and ensuring efforts to “drag” Georgia in its country’s conflict with Russia. 

They said Tbilisi was receiving “non-stop criticism” from Kyiv in contrast with “steadfast support” for its 30,000 stranded citizens in Georgian cities, in the international arena and with “all necessary” means.