At the Tbilisi International Conference, “Four Years Since Russia’s Full-Scale Invasion of Ukraine,” a high-level panel brought together ambassadors and senior representatives from the British Embassy Tbilisi, the Embassy of France in Georgia, the Embassy of Latvia in Georgia, the Royal Norwegian Embassy in Tbilisi, and the German Embassy.
The discussion examined the current battlefield situation, recent diplomatic initiatives, and the broader implications of the war for Ukraine and Euro-Atlantic security.
Anatolii Maliuska, Interim Chargé d’Affaires of the Embassy of Ukraine to Georgia, opened the panel with a powerful address, presenting stark facts about the ongoing war. GEORGIA TODAY shares his remarks below.
“It is a great pleasure and honor for me to be here today and address you on the occasion of the international conference titled ‘Four Years Since Russia’s Full-Scale Invasion of Ukraine.’
“Since February 24, 2022, Russia has continued to terrorize civilians in Ukraine by attacking the critical infrastructure and residential areas of my country. Drones and rockets operated by Russian forces have repeatedly attacked Ukrainian civilians almost constantly. Russians use every single day to strike our energy infrastructure. Since October 2022, Russia has damaged at least 9 GW of Ukraine’s power generation capacity. As of today, our immediate needs in the energy sphere amount to $1 billion, including generation capacity, mobile substations, backup power systems, and other equipment. Russia continues a massive wave of attacks on Ukraine’s railways. Approximately 130,000 railway infrastructure facilities have been damaged or destroyed to date. Ukraine’s transportation system has suffered losses of more than $36 billion, and the need for reconstruction already exceeds $77 billion.
“As of December 2025, the estimated damage caused by Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine amounts to about $800 billion, with the figure growing daily.
“International partners actively assist Ukraine in restoring energy infrastructure, and we count on the continuation of this support. Ukraine has significant investment potential and is open to international partners to implement projects for the development of the Ukrainian economy.
“We are also counting on the continuation of political support for Ukraine provided by the international community, including Georgia. [On February 23], speaking at the 61st session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, Ms. Maka Botchorishvili, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia, reaffirmed Georgia’s unwavering support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, underlined the need to uphold the international order based on the UN Charter, as well as to hold accountable those who violate international law. We hope that Georgia will support the draft UN General Assembly Resolution titled “Support for Lasting Peace in Ukraine.”
“Ukraine has never been, and will never be, an obstacle to peace. We consistently seek a diplomatic solution to restore a comprehensive, just, and lasting peace. We are ready for an immediate, unconditional, and comprehensive ceasefire. But our red lines remain unchanged, including:
• respect for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine,
• the right to choose alliances, and
• no limitations on defense capabilities.
“Without any doubt, all security-related decisions concerning Ukraine must be made with Ukraine’s full participation.
“Russia’s ongoing aggression constitutes the most significant and direct threat not only to Ukraine, but also to NATO members and European security. Putin’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine has shattered Europe’s security architecture and violated territorial integrity in the most threatening way since the end of World War II. Now entering its fifth year, the war has reached new levels of brutality and violence, with Russia regaining the tactical initiative along parts of the front. Despite huge battlefield losses, sanctions, intensifying Ukrainian strikes on Russian infrastructure, and mounting international pressure to negotiate, the Kremlin has shown no sign of backing down from its maximalist aims. The country remains in full war-economy mode: 40% of Russia’s federal budget last year, almost 8% of its GDP, was devoted to security and defense, sustaining the expansion of defense industrial production. Meanwhile, US military aid to Ukraine has dropped sharply since January 2025, leaving European nations and selected partners to shoulder the bulk of the burden.
“According to Mr. Pete Hegseth, US Secretary of Defense, safeguarding European security must be an imperative for European members of NATO. As part of this, Europe must provide the overwhelming share of future lethal and nonlethal aid to Ukraine.
“For decades, Europe thrived under an American security umbrella that allowed it to prioritize integration and prosperity over hard power. That era has ended. Moscow’s military and hybrid aggression has shattered illusions of lasting peace, while Washington’s gradual retreat has exposed Europe’s enduring military shortfalls. The second Trump administration has made it clear that defending the continent and supporting Ukraine are primarily Europe’s responsibility.
“Considering the above-mentioned it is clear now how important is it to discuss the issues which are covered by this conference. We have to answer the main questions of today’s global agenda:
– If a ceasefire or peace agreement is not reached and hostilities continue, can Ukraine sustain its defensive line against advancing Russian attacks?
– How is Russia’s ongoing military and hybrid aggression shaping Europe’s security landscape?
– Can European countries sustain Ukraine both militarily and economically during wartime if the US drastically reduces its support?
“I would like to wish a good and fruitful discussion to today’s speakers, other participants, as well as everybody involved.
“And finally, let me to convey my gratitude to organizers of this international conference, particularly to the British Embassy, Embassies of Germany, Norway, France and Latvia in Georgia, and personally to my colleague from the Ukrainian Embassy, Mr. Serhiy Dosenko.”
By Team GT
