The Ambassadors of Germany, France, and the United Kingdom to Georgia have firmly rejected claims that their governments encouraged Georgia to open a “second front” against Russia, calling the allegation false and disinformation.
The statement was issued jointly by French Ambassador Olivier Courteaud, German Ambassador Peter Fischer, and British Ambassador Gareth Ward on the fourth anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The declaration was published on the British Embassy’s official Facebook page.
“We fully recognize the profound impact that Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has on the population of Georgia. Georgians know the pain of Russian invasion and the occupation of 20% of their territory,” the ambassadors stated. “The claim that Germany, France, or the United Kingdom urged Georgia to open a second front in this conflict is false and constitutes disinformation.”
The diplomats reaffirmed their firm support for Georgia’s sovereignty and its right to determine its own security and foreign policy choices. They noted that cooperation with Georgia’s Defense Forces continues within the NATO framework, aimed at strengthening defensive capabilities against potential aggression and contributing to broader security in the South Caucasus and Europe.
The ambassadors also highlighted Georgia’s support for Ukraine, including its participation in the Ukraine Defense Contact Group. They welcomed the Georgian government’s recent decision to provide Ukraine with generators worth 1.5 million GEL, particularly as Russia continues targeting Ukraine’s energy infrastructure during the winter months.
Based on the statement, Georgia can play an important role in strengthening European security by maintaining restrictions on access to Russian military armaments, upholding international sanctions, and preventing attempts to circumvent them. The ambassadors also pointed to the need to prevent imports from Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet,” which they described as a threat to maritime security and a tool for evading sanctions.
They further emphasized the importance of restoring and deepening Georgia’s relations with its Euro-Atlantic partners, as well as reducing dependence on Russian oil and energy resources. “Russia is not a reliable energy partner,” the statement noted, adding that diversification would help Georgia strengthen its sovereignty and resilience against external pressure while contributing to Europe’s overall energy security.
The ambassadors concluded by underscoring that while the Ukrainian people continue to pay a heavy price in their fight against Russian aggression, Georgia’s own security remains under threat from the same aggressor. They stressed that achieving a just and sustainable peace in Ukraine, and upholding the principles of sovereignty in Europe, are essential for ensuring long-term stability and a peaceful future for Georgia.
The three diplomatic missions expressed readiness to continue close cooperation with Georgia on these critical issues.
