Georgian Prime Minister Iraklii Garibashvili said at the Global Security Forum in Bratislava that one of the reasons for the Russian invasion "was Ukraine's desire to become a member of NATO."

 Journalist: - Why, in your opinion, did Russia launch an invasion of Ukraine in 2022?

 Garibashvili: - I think that everyone knows the reason.

 Journalist: - I am not sure that I know. How do you think?

 Garibashvili: - I think that you and the audience know very well. One of the main reasons was NATO, the expansion of NATO, is that correct? And many other reasons.

 Journalist: - Do you think that the expansion of NATO provoked the war?

 Garibashvili: I don't want to speculate, I don't want to quote the statements of the Russian government. But one of the reasons was Ukraine's desire to become a member of NATO. So we see the consequences.

 Russia made demands for "security guarantees" several months before the February invasion of Ukraine. Moscow demanded, in particular, the refusal to admit Ukraine and Georgia to NATO and the placement of foreign troops in these countries, as well as the return of NATO's military infrastructure in Europe for 1997. NATO countries called these demands unacceptable, declaring their readiness to discuss with Russia the issue of arms limitation, placement of certain systems in border regions, etc. Refusal of demands became one of the reasons for Moscow to invade Ukraine.