Head of Georgian Parliament blames opposition for compromising national safety Aid to Ukraine at Georgia’s expense

Shalva Papuashvili, head of the Georgian parliament, has criticized the opposition for allegedly prioritizing Ukraine's aid over Georgia's well-being, accusing them of attempting to drag the country into conflict.

Papuashvili highlighted statements from opposition figures as evidence of their intent to involve Georgia in the war to support Ukraine, Caliber.Az reports via Georgian media.

He pointed out that their draft laws and resolutions still pending in parliament reflect this agenda.

"The opposition initially pushed for military support to Ukraine, including sending volunteer fighters and supplying weapons. They also called for sanctions against Russia, such as closing airspace, banning direct flights, imposing visa requirements for Russians, and restricting Russian vehicles and employment," he said.

Papuashvili noted that early in the conflict, the opposition, in coordination with Ukrainian authorities, demanded that the Georgian government approve a charter flight to send volunteers to Ukraine. The government refused, noting that Georgians could leave the country by regular flights or land routes, and questioned the insistence on a special charter.

He criticized the opposition and NGOs for their aggressive stance, including calls for military equipment shipments to Ukraine, despite cautious approaches by NATO countries.

"Let me remind you that it took NATO member countries more than a year to decide to supply tanks to Ukraine... The whole world is watching how cautiously even NATO member states are acting so as not to cross the 'red line' where Russia will declare them a party to the war," Papuashvili said.

Papuashvili emphasized that even after two years, no state has officially supported sending volunteers to Ukraine, with warnings from the US and UK against such actions.