There is plan to use Georgia as a ‘pawn' in global confrontation, Vice PM Mdinaradze

Georgian Vice Prime Minister and State Minister responsible for coordinating law enforcement agencies Mamuka Mdinaradze on Wednesday claimed there were efforts to draw Georgia into a broader geopolitical confrontation, insisting the Government would not take any steps contrary to the country's national interests.

Speaking at a briefing at the Government Administration, Mdinaradze referred to statements made by Ukrainian officials following Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, recalling that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy withdrew Ukraine's ambassador from Georgia after Tbilisi refused to impose sanctions on Russia and declined to send volunteer fighters with government approval.

Mdinaradze argued that public calls by Ukrainian officials for Georgia to impose sanctions, host military bases, send volunteer fighters and supply ammunition demonstrated attempts to involve the country more directly in the conflict.

"They have a plan to use this country as a pawn in a global confrontation, an insignificant one that could nevertheless deliver a small blow to someone. But we are not going to do that," he said.

The Vice Prime Minister maintained that Georgia's Government would continue to prioritise the country's own interests over external pressure.

"This is not in Georgia's national interest. It may be in the interest of others, but it is not in Georgia's interest, and Georgia and its Government will never do anything that is not in the country's national interest," Mdinaradze said.