For Georgia, the events that unfolded in Ukraine are unfortunately well known and reopened many wounds. The Kremlin’s aggression against its peaceful neighbors follows the pattern that Georgia has experienced three times. We hence know too well, to see one’s own territory invaded and occupied, and the price that your soldiers and civilians paying, – Georgia’s President Salome Zurabishvili stated in her address to Crimea Platform Summit.
“On behalf of the Georgian people, I would like to reaffirm our admiration for your valorous struggle and express firm belief that this fight will end in your victory. And already your fight has been victorious, as it has challenged Russia’s sense of invincible and impunity; your fight is already victorious since it has generated an unprecedented response, the strong and united response of the international community, one that was not seen by President Putin in 2014 and 2008. Today’s response is one that will change the future.
“It is evident that war in Ukraine and occupation of Crimea and attacks today on Odesa significantly undermine Black Sea security and hence global security as the world faces an unprecedented threat of food shortages, caused by halted grain exports. We are once again reminded of an elementary principle – peace and security cannot be divided, we are all in the same boat.
“In these difficult times, the Ukrainian people have unified around European aspirations, and I would like to wholeheartedly congratulate Ukraine on receiving EU candidate status, and express our confidence that Georgia will soon join our two partners Ukraine and Moldova on this path. I am strongly convinced that this anachronistic war will end soon and Ukraine, standing on the right side of history, will emerge victorious. Occupation has no place in the XXI century.
“Dear President Zelensky, I’m confident that we will witness our nations regaining unity, territorial integrity and prosperity in a peaceful and safe Europe. Happy Independence Day. Slava Ukraine!” stated Salome Zurabishvili.
