Ukraine fighting for Europe’s freedom, security – Georgian President addresses Crimea platform

Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili on Wednesday online addressed the Crimea platform and stressed Ukraine was fighting not only for its independence and sovereignty, but for the entire Europe’s freedom and security. 

 

She highlighted Russia’s ongoing war against Ukraine was the continuation of the former’s “unwavering attempts to divide, occupy, conquer, threaten” its neighbors, and was in line with the “historical modus operandi of imperial powers”. 

 

Zourabishvili highlighted the conflict had once again demonstrated the global importance of the South Caucasus region and “solidified the argument” that the Black Sea was “definitely an indivisible part of European stability and security”. 

 

“This war is showing once again that the stability and security of Europe are unattainable without extending to the entire continent, from Lisbon to Tbilisi. It also demonstrates that the de-occupation of all territories is an absolute prerequisite to peace and stability, to ensure that Russia renounces imperial behavior and thus, the only stable foundation for a new and sound European security architecture”, Zourabichvili said. 

 

She noted that as Ukraine faced a conflict that was of a scale “not seen on the continent since World War II”, Europe would continue to demonstrate its “unwavering support and unity” around Kyiv. 

 

“This unity and resolve are crucial for Ukraine’s victory, it is no less crucial for the future security of Georgia and Moldova. Confronted with a new wave of pressures, threats, and multifold provocations, tantamount to a hybrid war, our people have demonstrated their clear resolve to further solidify our country’s European integration path and to be faithful to their one and only perspective”, Zourabichvili said. 

 

In this context, the President said she expected Georgia would receive the European Union membership candidate status later this year and “rejoin Ukraine and Moldova on our common accelerated path towards European integration”. 

 

“Russia should not be allowed to believe that it can counterbalance its losses in Ukraine by face-saving gains elsewhere”, she said. 

 

Addressing her Ukrainian colleague Volodymyr Zelenkyy, Zourabichvili reiterated her belief that “through the perseverance of your people, Ukraine has already do a great extent and will fully emerge victorious from this barbaric war, regain its territories, and become a pillar of tomorrow’s secure and prosperous Europe”.