Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met with Georgian President Salome Zourabishvili in Paris and assured support for Georgian society and help “to defend their right to an independent life.”
“I assured Mrs. President that, for our part, we will coordinate actions with our partners not only in Europe to respond in a truly systematic way and help the people of Georgia defend their right to an independent life,” Zelensky said on Telegram.
According to him, what is happening now in Georgia is a matter of control over the Black Sea region that Russia wants to establish, which constitutes a threat to the national security of everyone both in Georgia and in Europe.
“Ukraine supports and sympathizes with the Georgian people, who are now fighting for a decent future for themselves. It is important to always respect people's opinions and prevent the Ivanishvili government from handing the country over to Putin,” the head of the Ukrainian state emphasized.
Massive protests in Georgia
A wave of mass protests broke out in Georgia over a week ago when the government announced the suspension of talks on the country's accession to the EU. The police disperse demonstrations with force.
On Thursday, Ukraine imposed sanctions on representatives of the Georgian authorities, including the leader of the ruling Georgian Dream party, Bidzina Ivanishvili.
Georgia. Clashes between protesters and the police. Photo from December 1PAP/EPA/DAVID MDZINARISHVILI
Main photo source: PAP/EPA/DAVID MDZINARISHVILI