Ukraine to evacuate its citizens from Georgia in case of 'security risks'
By Liza Mchedlidze
Wednesday, January 25, 2023
Ukraine's Chargé d'affaires, Andrey Kasyanov, told 'European Pravda' that The Embassy of Ukraine in Georgia does not rule out the possibility of evacuating Ukrainian citizens in case of a 'danger' caused by the possible resumption of direct air traffic between Georgia and Russia and the mass influx of Russian citizens to Georgia.
"In the case of the restoration of direct air communication and the increase of real security risks, I would like to say that today the embassy does not rule out contacting international organizations, our international partners, in order to discuss the possibility of assistance in the mass evacuation of Ukrainian citizens from the territory of Georgia," Kasyanov said.
According to him, due to the 'anomalous influx of Russians', in the background of the significant increase in the danger of being in Georgia, the embassy supports the return of Ukrainian citizens to Ukraine in every possible way. Kasyanov emphasized that this will only happen if there is a real threat to the life and safety of Ukrainian citizens.
Kasyanov said that the Ukrainian side would not 'sit silently' and will do everything in their power to ensure the protection and safety of their citizens, which according to him, is their main priority.
"Now we are considering the possibility of arranging special evacuation routes for the most vulnerable segments of the population of Ukraine, who really have no way to return. At the same time, we consider land transport to be the most optimal," said Kasyanov.
Andrey Kasyanov also discussed the Georgian government's political path to Europe and criticized the ruling party for declaring that they are moving towards the European Union but, in reality, according to him they are moving in a different direction.
"Georgia, as you know, has applied for EU candidate status. Currently, Georgia is officially confirming its principled position on joining the European Union and NATO, which is provided for in the Constitution of Georgia. Euro-Atlantic aspirations are supported by the majority of the population of Georgia, which is not denied by the current government of Georgia, but what we have in reality is that the country, which continues to consistently move towards the European Union and NATO in the statements of its politicians, has started to move in a different direction," Kasyanov said.
According to him, it is obvious that the government of Georgia ignores the general principles of foreign and security policy and the fact of violation of the third package of EU sanctions.
