Ukraine has reacted sharply to the latest statements by the Georgian authorities, who accused Kyiv of supporting the “Ukrainian scenario” in connection with the mass protests in Tbilisi. The Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the suppression of protests in Georgia and rejected the authorities’ attempts to link the situation to the Ukrainian experience, noting that in fact the Georgian leadership is implementing a scenario in the country similar to the Belarusian one, where political opponents are suppressed and citizens’ rights are violated.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine strongly condemns the ongoing human rights violations and the use of force against peaceful demonstrators in Georgia. Violence will not remain without consequences
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasizes that the Georgian authorities must respect the fundamental right of citizens to peaceful protest. Especially since the reason for the protests is the government's decision to pause Georgia's movement towards the EU, contrary to the European aspirations of the Georgian people.
Ukraine also stressed that it is surprising that the Georgian authorities are trying to convince that the country's European integration is continuing, while its actions indicate Georgia's turn towards Moscow. At one time, notorious Ukrainian politicians who tried to turn Ukraine from the path to the EU into the Russian yoke also said that they were only "suspending" and not reversing our country's European integration.
We strongly reject the persistent attempts of the Georgian authorities to involve Ukraine in the internal political processes of their country. The Georgian government should stop scaring its people with the mythical “Ukrainian scenario”, while currently implementing the “Belarusian scenario” in practice
It is emphasized that Ukraine has been and remains committed to democratic transformations in Georgia and its further European and Euro-Atlantic integration, which meets the interests of the Georgian people.
In this context, we express our solidarity with our Georgian diplomat colleagues who have publicly opposed the decision of the Georgian government to withdraw from the agenda of EU accession negotiations. We understand the challenges faced by our Georgian colleagues, because in 2004 and 2014, at one of the most critical moments in Ukrainian history, the diplomatic service of Ukraine stood up for the democratic choice of the Ukrainian people, showing an example of professional and civic courage
Ukraine is convinced that European integration is the key to stability, prosperity, and strengthening of democratic institutions in Georgia, and we strive for a successful future for our peoples in the great European family.
“Our solidarity with the Georgian people remains unwavering,” the Foreign Ministry emphasizes.
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze, amid the brutal suppression of protests, stated that the country's authorities would not allow a Ukrainian Maidan scenario.
On November 28, the authorities announced that the issue of opening negotiations on the country's accession to the European Union would be removed from the agenda until 2028. This, as expected, caused a sharp reaction from supporters of European integration - such supporters in Georgia, according to recent polls, make up approximately 90% of voters.
On December 2, it was reported that clashes between protesters and police took place for the fourth consecutive night in the Georgian capital, Tbilisi, indicating an escalation of protests across the country.
In Georgia, 224 people have been detained since the protests began. The country's Interior Ministry and Health Ministry reported that none of the protesters were seriously injured during the dispersal of protests near the parliament in Tbilisi on December 1-2. However, according to the Interior Ministry, 21 law enforcement officers were injured during these protests.
