Tbilisi requests factual explanations, evidence for Kyiv’s allegations over “aiding” Russia

Georgian Foreign Ministry representatives have met with Charge d’Affaires of Ukraine to Georgia  Andrey Kasyanov following the recent allegations of Ukrainian intelligence that Russia is negotiating with Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan to re-export its products to foreign markets via up to 200 companies registered in the three countries. 

 

“The Charge d’Affaires of Ukraine has been asked to provide  factual explanations and evidence on a timely manner on the information provided by the Intelligence Service of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, especially given that the Ukrainian side had  failed to present evidence for a previous allegation of similar content (that Tbilisi is aiding Russian smugglers),” said the Foreign Ministry. 

 

The ministry cited Kasyanov as saying that he did not have an appropriate response to the statement issued by the Ukrainian intelligence service at this stage noting  that he would inform Kyiv over Tbilisi’s position. 

 

“At the meeting, Georgia’s unwavering support for Ukraine and the Ukrainian people was reiterated. Kasyanov expressed his gratitude to Georgia for resolutions and statements in support of Ukraine within the framework of international organizations and for its humanitarian aid,” the ministry said.

 

The Georgian ruling party MPs have called the allegations “incorrect and unfounded.” 

 

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy recalled Ambassador Igor Dolgov to Georgia at the end of March, suggesting the diplomat failed to convince the Georgian government to impose sanctions on Russia for its invasion of Ukraine. 

 

Later he said that the ambassador would be appointed when he saw the changed attitudes of the Georgian authorities. 

 

Tbilisi says that the county has joined all international sanctions on Russia, while imposing personal sanctions on the occupier would damage the interests of the Georgian people alone.