Georgian parliament speaker accuses former president of pushing for escalation with Russia

The Speaker of the Georgian Parliament, Shalva Papuashvili, has stated that former Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili pushed for the escalation of relations with Russia from the outset of the war in Ukraine.

Papuashvili revealed that Zourabichvili was in favor of increasing tensions with Russia, particularly in a bid to support Ukraine, Caliber.Az reports per Georgian media.

The Parliament Speaker emphasized that the former president advocated for Georgia to become more directly involved in the conflict by sending volunteers to fight alongside Ukrainian forces, which would effectively open a "second front" against Russia.

Papuashvili also noted that Zourabichvili publicly praised Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, referring to him as a "hero." The former president reportedly questioned the actions of the Georgian Parliament, urging it to consider the possibility of joining the military efforts and aligning more closely with Ukraine.

Prior to this, Salome Zourabichvili called on the Georgian authorities to hold new presidential elections, asserting that this was the only viable solution to peacefully resolve the political crisis in the country.

On December 14, 2024, Georgia held presidential elections under a new electoral system, where, for the first time, the president was not elected by the public but by an electoral college. Mikheil Kavelashvili emerged victorious in the election.

However, Zourabichvili refused to recognize the legitimacy of the election results, stating, "No one elected anyone."

Previously, Georgia had endorsed the decision to abandon the path of Ukraine, deeming it the correct course of action.

By Vafa Guliyeva