US Ambassador Degnan: people in Ukraine, Georgia should stop exchanging accusations, stand together

US Ambassador to Georgia Kelly Degnan has called on people in Ukraine and Georgia to stop exchanging various accusations and stand together as any fight between the two nations “benefits the interests of Russia.”

 

Speaking for the media on Thursday, Degnan stated that she has not heard any political leaders try to drag Georgia into Russia’s war in Ukraine.

 

“ In fact, I have heard people be very careful and very sensitive to the fact that Georgia has Russian forces already on your territory. Georgia has already experienced the painful experience of having Russian forces attack your civilians and occupy your territory. So, I think it would really be useful right now when everybody needs to stand together for everybody to stop attacking each other. This kind of fighting only benefits Russia,” Degnan suggested.

 

She stressed that “much more important would be for Ukraine, for Georgia to stand together against this threat of a brutal neighbor, Russia, that is trying to take your sovereignty and territorial integrity away from you.”

 

Degnan said that the US has long stood beside Georgia in support of the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and “we will continue to do so.”

 

“I would say that the United States’ support for Georgia remains very strong and my leaders have made that very clear,” Degnan said.

 

Kyiv has accused Tbilisi of aiding Russia to circumvent sanctions. However, it has not presented any evidence so far.

 

The Georgian Dream authorities claim that the United National Movement opposition party, “which has it affiliates in the Ukrainian government,” is trying to spark tension between the two countries and drag Georgia into the war.