Georgia to Demand Explanation from Ukraine Over Saakashvili's Statements

The Georgian authorities will demand clarification from Ukraine regarding the statement made by Mikheil Saakashvili, the head of the National Reform Council of Ukraine. This was announced to reporters by Irakli Sesiashvili, the chairman of the parliamentary committee on defense and security.

Saakashvili recently stated on his Facebook page that he does not recognize the legitimacy of the current government of Georgia. He also emphasized that he will be 'on the front line' during the parliamentary elections scheduled for October in Georgia.

According to Sesiashvili, Saakashvili is a representative of the Ukrainian government and a public figure; therefore, his statement regarding the legitimacy of the Georgian government will not go unanswered, and the response must come from the leadership of Ukraine. The Georgian official noted that Saakashvili's promotional statements are an interference in Georgia’s internal affairs.

In June, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia demanded an explanation from the Ukrainian ambassador in Georgia regarding Saakashvili's statement that he would be at the forefront of the electoral struggle and would achieve victory.

'Ukraine's position is as follows: Saakashvili is not a public official in Ukraine, nor is he part of the executive power,' stated the Ukrainian ambassador in Georgia.

Saakashvili served as the President of Georgia from 2004 to 2013. After the defeat of his party, the United National Movement, and the expiration of his presidential term, he left the country and lived abroad until 2015. Later, former Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko offered him the position of governor of Odessa Oblast and granted him Ukrainian citizenship. Under Georgian law, Saakashvili automatically lost his Georgian citizenship. His actions and those of his supporters in recent years have resulted in several criminal cases against him. Currently, Saakashvili has been sentenced in absentia twice, totaling six years, with several cases still ongoing.

Saakashvili's political career in Ukraine has not been smooth. He did not remain in the governor's position for even a year, losing his Ukrainian citizenship and being expelled and banned from entering Ukraine. He was able to return only after President Volodymyr Zelensky's decision to restore his citizenship and allow him entry.