In Georgia, thousands of people came to the streets to express solidarity with Ukraine by holding peaceful protests on Thursday, February 24, amid Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
The peaceful protests were held in the Georgian capital city, Tbilisi, as well as the cities of Kutaisi, Batumi, Zugdidi, Gori, and Poti to condemn Russia’s aggression against Ukraine on Thursday.
Civilians gathered in the protests believe, “the war must halt in Ukraine,” stressing “Ukraine, facing a difficult time, needs support.”
In addition, the demonstrators also played the national anthem at the protest sites.
During a rally in support of Ukraine at the Ukrainian Embassy in Tbilisi, a citizen of Russia, Anton Mikhalchuk, denounced Russia’s actions and burnt his own passport by saying, “we do not want a war.”
Mikhalchuk said, “I renounce my citizenship of this country [Russia]. I don’t want to have this passport.”
Moreover, several civilians of Georgia took to Twitter to express their solidarity with Ukraine. One Twitter user, Mariam Kereselidze tweeted, “Thousands of Georgians supporting Ukraine. We know very well what they are going through. We’re more united than ever! 🇬🇪🇺🇦”
#StandWithUkraine
Thousands of Georgians supporting Ukraine. We know very well what they are going through. We’re more united than ever! 🇬🇪🇺🇦#StandWithUkraine pic.twitter.com/rV0lVpCX0o
— Mariam Kereselidze (@mariamkker) February 24, 2022
The military aggression of Russia has been criticised by Georgian politicians. President Salome Zourabichvili said she will sign a proposal from the Georgian Parliament to convene an extraordinary parliamentary session to express support for Ukraine’s territorial integrity. She also stated that Georgia is willing to represent it “in all formats where the subject of Ukraine is discussed.”
Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili also tweeted, Georgian nation 🇬🇪shocked by the Russian aggression in Ukraine. We stand in solidarity with the Ukrainian people and call for a halt of the military operations #SlavaUkraini
Georgian nation 🇬🇪shocked by the Russian agression in Ukraine. We stand in solidarity with the Ukrainian people and call for a halt of the military operations #SlavaUkraini
— Salome Zourabichvili (@Zourabichvili_S) February 24, 2022
Furthermore, Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili called on the international community “to apply all possible measures to stop blatant infringement of international order by Russia and avoid further military escalation.”
We #StandWithUkraine. Military attack on sovereign country is unacceptable. We call on international community to apply all possible measures to stop blatant violation of international order by Russia and avoid further military escalation.
— Irakli Garibashvili (@GharibashviliGe) February 24, 2022
