Diplomatic Stand-Off Between Ukraine and Georgia Over Imprisoned Former President
A video of Georgia’s imprisoned former president, Mikheil Saakashvili, appearing emaciated during a live-streamed court testimony has sparked a diplomatic stand-off between Tbilisi and Kyiv. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has accused Georgia of acting at Russia’s behest and has asked the Georgian ambassador to Kyiv to leave within 48 hours to consult with Tbilisi about transferring Saakashvili to Ukraine for medical treatment.
However, on Wednesday, Irakli Kobakhidze, chair of the ruling Georgian Dream party, ruled out the possibility of transferring Saakashvili, stating that there would be no consultation with Kyiv. Kobakhidze also called Zelenskyy’s decision to send the Georgian ambassador back to Tbilisi regrettable and insulting.
The tension between the two countries has escalated significantly since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. In the early weeks of the war, tens of thousands of Georgians protested in support of Ukraine and expressed dissatisfaction with the ruling Georgian Dream party’s decision not to join international sanctions against Russia.
Saakashvili, a pro-western leader, was arrested upon his return to Georgia in October 2021 and sentenced to a six-year term for alleged abuse of office. His deteriorating condition in prison has sparked public outcry both in Georgia and in the western world. Zelenskyy accused Russia of being responsible for Saakashvili’s decline, noting that Saakashvili also holds Ukrainian citizenship.
The treatment of Saakashvili and the erosion of Georgia’s democratic institutions have cast a shadow over the country’s aspiration to join the EU. A recent decision by the Georgian government to authorize Azimuth Airline, a Russian carrier that operates flights to Russia-annexed Crimea under Ukrainian sanctions, to start direct flights to and from Russia drew criticism from the European Commission.
Georgia is currently in the slow lane of EU accession, with the European Commission issuing a series of reforms that must be enacted before the country can be granted official candidate status. Ukraine and Moldova, which applied for membership at the same time as Georgia, have already been given candidate status.
President Salome Zourabichvili, who was elected with the support of the Georgian Dream party in 2018, has the power to pardon Saakashvili. However, she has repeatedly stated that she will not intervene in his case. Despite this, many Georgians still hope that she will change her mind. Zourabichvili’s pro-EU stance and support for Ukraine have caused tension with the government.
While it remains uncertain how this diplomatic stand-off will be resolved, the health and well-being of Saakashvili continue to be a cause for concern. The international community is closely watching the situation, hoping for a peaceful resolution that prioritizes Saakashvili’s health and respects the rule of law.