Volski Says Georgia Must Maintain Dialogue with Ukraine Despite Tensions
By Messenger Staff
Tuesday, May 5, 2026
First Vice-Speaker of Georgian Dream-led Parliament Gia Volski said Georgia should continue engaging with Ukraine despite strained relations, commenting on the meeting between Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
"The constant attempt to drag Georgia into hostilities. determines the very difficult relations that have developed between us, but this does not mean that we should not talk to each other or shake hands," Volski said.
He argued that, despite what he described as a "biased" attitude from Ukrainian authorities, Georgia has continued to support Ukraine politically. "Georgia has never stopped providing assistance to Ukraine," he said, adding that military aid would have meant direct involvement in the war.
Volski also pointed to humanitarian support, including Ukrainian students studying in Georgia, and said Tbilisi has backed Ukraine in international forums. "There is no resolution. where Georgia has not come out in support of Ukraine," he said.
He criticized what he called "very bad propaganda" and said relations could have been more positive, while noting Georgia's own status as a "partially occupied country."
Volski expressed hope that ties would improve. "We must talk to Zelensky and remind him once again," he said, adding, "We hope that relations with Ukraine will be positive."
Kobakhidze and Zelenskyy met during the European Political Community summit, in talks initiated by the Ukrainian side, according to the Georgian government.
