Georgian Parliament Speaker defends Government’s stance on Ukraine war, criticises Europe's lack of clear strategy

Georgian Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili on Saturday defended the Georgian Government’s stance on the war in Ukraine, arguing that European leaders were still lacking a clear plan on how they intend to secure Ukraine’s victory over Russia through incremental military aid.

In a social media message, Papuashvili emphasised that since the war began in February 2022, the Georgian Government had pursued a consistent and firm policy.

“On February 24, 2022, the war did not only begin in Ukraine - it began in the entire region, at the very least. The context of this war extends to us as well. Our Government, which anticipated the likelihood of war, predicted its possible developments and its impact on Georgia, reached the only correct and firm decision - Georgia must not become involved in the ongoing hot or hybrid war in any aspect, and we must maintain peace at any cost”, the Speaker said.

Papuashvili highlighted that while Georgia condemned the Russian aggression, supported Ukraine through humanitarian aid, and welcomed refugees, it had also avoided direct involvement by not imposing sanctions, sending fighters, or escalating tensions.

“At the same time, Georgia condemned the Russian aggression, condemned the war, called for peace and a ceasefire, supported Ukraine, welcomed refugees, sent humanitarian aid, and maintained its Embassy in Kyiv as the last remaining diplomatic mission. We did not impose sanctions [on Russia] (yet we did not allow anyone to bypass international sanctions), we did not send volunteer fighters to the front, we did not escalate tensions, and we did not amplify rhetoric… Rhetoric, as we saw yesterday at the White House, seems to be of great importance”, Papuashvili noted.

The Speaker also questioned the long-term strategy of Western leaders, pointing out that three years into the war, European countries have yet to clarify what resources, time, and lives would be required to achieve the victory.

“The key player in this war is the United States. The new administration received the people's mandate with a firm promise to end the war. It is better for this war to end with American participation, which will protect Ukraine, than without it. If the US withdraws from the process, Europe and Ukraine will be left alone against Russia. This is global politics. Such things have happened before and will happen again. Countries act based on their interests”, he continued.

Papuashvili further accused the domestic opposition of failing to grasp the realities of global politics, arguing that rather than recognising the Government’s “farsighted and reasonable policy”, the opposition leaders continued to engage in preformative and immature behaviour, treating serious international affairs like a TV drama.

“Three years into the war, instead of acknowledging the Georgian Government’s farsighted and prudent policy - or at the very least, remaining silent - our society once again witnessed the frivolous behaviour of the radical opposition, foreign-funded NGOs, and Georgia’s former President, on the backdrop of a difficult US-Ukraine meeting at the White House. Once again, we were reminded of the opposition’s immature social media posts from three years ago and their Hollywood-style theatrics on Rustaveli Avenue [in Tbilisi]. Watching serious global events as if they were a TV series has become the defining characteristic of the opposition”, the Parliament Speaker continued.

Papuashvili concluded by suggesting that certain foreign diplomats were still hoping to see Georgia’s opposition in power, as they would be easier to manipulate.