Georgian PM says protest rally leaders want to make Georgia share Ukrainian fate

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Monday said one of the leaders of ongoing protest rallies against the domestic law on transparency announced a few days ago that he was envying the Ukrainians.

In his remarks, Kobakhidze noted that the “main task” driving these people was to make Georgia share the Ukrainian fate.

“One of the leaders of the rallies [against transparency] announced a few days ago that he envies Ukrainians, I would say that this is not an unwarranted remark, the main task driving these people is the Ukrainisation of Georgia, to make Georgia share the Ukrainian fate”, Kobakhidze said.

“I wish to remind everyone what does it mean to share the fate of Ukraine and what is the current state of affairs in Ukraine. Sadly, dozens of thousands have died in Ukraine as a result of this war. There are concrete statistical data: 2/3 (two thirds) of young men aged 19-24 have either left the country or died. This is a gene fond of Ukraine that has been destroyed. It is what our opponents envy. Besides, about 10 million people, i.e. every fourth Ukrainian is either internally displaced or turned into a refugee outside Ukraine. Economy of the country has been destroyed. In the very first year, economic collapse amounted to 30%, which is a complete disaster”, he continued.

“Their infrastructure is destroyed. Today Russia occupies 2.5 times more territory than it did at the beginning of the war. Politicians and officials are gaining benefits; corruption is flourishing in Ukraine against the backdrop of the war; elections are put on hold along with political pluralism and media freedom; everything related to the general concept of democracy have been voided. The representatives of the collective [domestic opposition] National Movement [party] are envious of all this, and not only envious, they want to see all this happening in Georgia. They want Georgia to share the fate of Ukraine, which we cannot allow, of course. The fact is, they have not lost hope and all the provocations are organized towards this end. The protest serves this purpose”, the PM noted.

The Government head further added that “Georgia would definitely maintain peace, which was a necessary condition for [the country’s] progress and development”.