Kyiv slams Georgian leadership for using Ukraine’s suffering in election campaign

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine has strongly condemned the Georgian leadership for repeatedly attempting to involve Ukraine in Georgia’s internal political affairs ahead of the parliamentary elections scheduled for October 26.

In a sharp response to remarks made by Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze, Ukraine criticized the “disdainful tone” of his comments, accusing him of manipulating Ukraine’s suffering for political purposes.

“The persistent efforts of the current government of Georgia to erase from the memory of the Georgian people the numerous crimes of Russia, which it has committed and continues to commit in the temporarily occupied territories of both Georgia and Ukraine, are surprising ,” the statement reads.

Kyiv labeled as “shameful” the use of images from Russia’s war in Ukraine in the ruling Georgian Dream party’s political advertisements. The Ministry accused the Georgian government of displaying “complete contempt” for the Ukrainian people and of damaging historically strong ties between the two nations for political gain.

“The image of the Ukrainian religious shrines destroyed by Russian war criminals in the political advertisement of the ruling party “Georgian Dream” on the eve of the great Orthodox holiday in Georgia, Mtskhetoba-Svetitskhovloba on October 14, causes a particular indignation,” the ministry stressed.

In a scathing critique, Ukraine accused the Georgian government of emulating Russian methods to suppress civil society and human rights organizations, stifling Georgia’s democratic development. The statement also highlighted Georgia’s refusal to join international sanctions against Russia, its restoration of direct air travel with Moscow, the lifting of visa restrictions, and the increase in trade ties with Russia as signs of Georgia’s growing dependence on the Kremlin.

Additionally, Ukraine raised concerns about the appearance of private Russian schools in Georgia, which are accredited by Moscow, suggesting that these institutions pose a risk of promoting pro-Russian propaganda among Georgian youth.

The Ukrainian government called on Georgia to stop involving Ukraine in its internal politics and to cease trivializing the suffering of the Ukrainian people. Finally, Ukraine expressed hope that Georgia’s upcoming parliamentary elections would be conducted peacefully and democratically, with the country staying on course towards its strategic goals of joining the European Union and NATO.