Georgian President reiterates Gov’t’s firm stance against Georgia’s involvement in Russia-Ukraine war

Georgian President Mikheil Kavelashvili on Saturday reiterated his firm stance against Georgia’s involvement in the Russia-Ukraine war, warning that such a move could trigger Russian military retaliation and leave Georgia defenseless due to its non-membership in NATO or the EU.

In an interview with Spanish outlet El Mundo, Kavelashvili outlined the pressures to send weapons, volunteers, or impose severe sanctions, and explained Georgia’s cautious stance, emphasising the potential consequences of provoking Russia.

“These demands were made live on air by representatives of the Ukrainian Government. They urged us: ‘Russia is on the brink of defeat, you have the opportunity to reclaim lost territories.’ They said: ‘If you don’t want to fully engage in the war, why not send weapons, combat volunteers… or impose sanctions?’ And look, we joined general sanctions. But the sanctions they demanded from us would have been very harmful to Georgia. That’s why we refused”, Kavelashvili said.

“Sending weapons could provoke Russia, which would consider it our participation in the war and respond militarily. In that case, who would be responsible? Who would help us? We are not members of NATO or the EU. So, who would help us in case of a Russian attack? Do you know what their response was? ‘We will send you weapons.’ Yes, weapons to fight Russia”, the President noted.

Kavelashvili also suggested that the EU’s decision to grant candidate status to Ukraine and Moldova, but not Georgia, was a form of manipulation to pressure the Georgian Government.

“We have already had three wars with Russia. Georgia would have been in a very difficult position… and Western pressure began after we refused to comply with these demands. After that, pressure on Georgia started. And they [the EU] granted [candidate] status to these two countries [Ukraine and Moldova] but not to Georgia, to manipulate the situation, create problems, and show that because of the Government, Georgians are drifting away from Europe”, he concluded.