Ukraine’s Arakhamia outlines conditions for improving relations with Tbilisi

David Arakhamia, the chair of the ruling Servant of the People’s party in the Ukrainian Rada, on Tuesday outlined three conditions for improving current relations with Tbilisi, following the latter’s demands to extradite former, wanted officials under the United National Movement Government, who current take public posts in Ukraine. 

Arakhamia, who is of Georgian origin, insisted on the release of Mikheil Saakashvili, the currently imprisoned former President of Georgia, who holds Ukrainian citizenship and took a public post in the country before his arrest in Tbilisi in 2021, an end to direct flights between Georgia and Russia restored last year, and for Georgia to “cease aiding Russia in circumventing sanctions”, with no evidence backing the allegations being provided so far. 

Kakha Kaladze, the Secretary General of the ruling Georgian Dream party, responded he  refrained from engaging in direct arguments with Arakhamia. Instead, he emphasized the “longstanding friendly relations” between the Georgian and Ukrainian people. 

He also highlighted Georgia’s support for Ukraine “through various means”, including international platforms and humanitarian aid. He asserted Georgia’s commitment to making decisions in the “best interest” of its population, including imposing sanctions against Russia. Kaladze also defended the legal actions against Saakashvili, stating that he faced specific charges and “must be held accountable” under the law.

The GD authorities accuse Arakhamia of taking actions to “drag Georgia” in the Russia-Ukraine war, along with former Georgian officials, including Saakashvili and are demanding the extradition of wanted, former prosecutor general Zurab Adeishvili and former law enforcement official Gia Lortkipanidze. 

The third President of Georgia is currently serving his six-year-term for abuse of power while in office in two separate cases.