Georgia's Speaker warns against using country as weapon in Ukraine war

Georgian Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili has cautioned against attempts to use Georgia as a geopolitical instrument in the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine.

Speaking on Georgia’s First Channel, Papuashvili stated that proposals urging Tbilisi to take aggressive steps against Moscow — including sending Georgian citizens to fight in Ukraine, imposing sanctions, and closing the border with Russia — risk escalating tensions with the Kremlin.

“When we’re told to send Georgian citizens on official flights to fight against Russia, to impose sanctions, to close the border — won’t all of this lead to escalation with Russia?” he asked.

The speaker emphasised that while the war persists, so too does the pressure on Georgia to take sides in a manner that could threaten its national security.

“Once the war ends, the context will change, and we’ll be able to breathe more easily. But as long as this war continues, the desire to use Georgia as a weapon hasn’t disappeared. We must understand the danger we have faced — and still face,” Papuashvili warned.

By Vugar Khalilov