PM Garibashvili: Georgia never allows transit of sanctioned goods, Kyiv’s allegations “slandarous”

Georgia will never allow the transit of the goods which have been sanctioned in the wake of Russian invasion of Ukraine, such claims are groundless and “slanderous,” Georgian PM Irakli Garibashvili has responded to recent statements by the Ukrainian intelligence that Georgia is aiding Russia to smuggle in various goods to circumvent sanctions.

 

Garibashvili said today that he was “saddened” by the allegations, noting that Georgia is exchanging information with foreign partners “and there should be no questions on such issues.”

 

“It is clear that this was a politically motivated statement, no evidence, no facts have been  presented so far, and of course, it is unfortunate. I wish Ukraine and the Ukrainians the devastating war to end soon which is a great challenge not only for Ukraine, but for us, for the whole region, for Europe and for the world,” Garibashvili said.

 

He stated that the responsible state agencies have already given “competent answers” to the allegations.

 

The Georgian State Security Service has demanded Ukraine to present evidence for the allegations.

 

Ukrainian FM Dmytro Kuleba said earlier this week that Georgia should present evidence that it was not aiding Russia, with Tbilisi responding that the allegations had come from Kyiv and the latter was responsible to back the accusations by evidence.