Georgian Parliament Speaker speaks out on Zelenskyy’s approach to Georgia

Georgian Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili on Thursday delivered a scathing critique of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, stating that despite Zelenskyy's actions against the Georgian people, Tbilisi was refraining from escalation.

Zelenskyy on Wednesday alleged that “we have already lost Georgia in Europe. Human rights and the European nature of the state system are only shrinking there”.

In his response, Papuashvili suggested Zelenskyy should hold elections, arguing that the Ukrainian people would eventually hold him accountable.

“Despite everything that Mr. Zelenskyy is doing to the Georgian people, we are still holding back. However, I have advice: he should hold elections, and the Ukrainian people will, in due course, answer to him at the polls for the attempts to harm the Georgian people that we are witnessing”, the Speaker said.

Papuashvili further described President Zelenskyy as a “tragic figure”, not only because of the war in his country but also because of the circumstances surrounding the conflict.

The Speaker cited significant losses for Ukraine, noting that “this person has lost 30% of his country, hundreds of thousands of people have died, and according to his own official statistics, 40% of the population has fled the country and he has practically lost this population as well. These are the losses that Mr. Zelensky is suffering”.

“Our position is clear - Ukraine is at war, and we avoid unnecessary commentary and judgments. Despite Zelenskyy’s special services sending Saakashvili here to stir trouble, and despite attempts to smuggle explosives into the country, we have refrained from escalation. Despite everything President Zelenskyy is doing to the Georgian people, we are restraining ourselves”, he concluded.