24 Apr, 2024
Last week marked one year of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. In Georgia, ALDE member parties were active in marking this occasion, with tens of thousands attending a rally organised by ALDE Party members Strategy Aghmashenebeli and Girchi - More Freedom, and a delegation of Lelo for Georgia travelling to the Ukrainian capital Kyiv.
Strategy Aghmashenebeli leader Giorgi Vashadze shared footage of the protest and commented: “The Georgian people sent a strong message. On the one hand to Ukraine, showing that we stand with them, and on the other to whole civilized world showing that we belong to them and we deserve full membership of the EU and NATO. This is Georgia!”
Girchi - More Freedom leader Zurab Girchi Japaridze thanked the protesters, saying: “24 February is the date the world split in two in front of our eyes. A very clear line was drawn, between morality and immorality, between black and white. I want to thank you for being the people that understand today, the people that don't need any explanations. After all, you are the hope. People are fleeing our country because they have lost hope that we can build a normal country, but you are standing here denying it. We can do everything, we will win this battle, get rid of them and build a normal country. Glory to Ukraine! Glory to Georgia!”
ALDE Party Vice-Presidents Henrik Bach Mortensen and Kira Rudik MP delivered video messages to the protesters.
“The European Union should be open to all European democracies, and as such, Georgia and Ukraine should move to full membership as quickly as possible. It is also important the Georgia as well as the European Union support Ukraine in the difficult times it is facing now. Together as liberals we should support countries like Ukraine fighting for democracy for all of us,” declared Bach Mortensen.
“A year ago, Russia launched a full-scale invasion of our country. Nobody believed that we will stand for more than two or three days. Well, a year later watch us. We are still standing and fighting back, liberating our territories and making sure that Russia is stopped. We learnt that you can only fight a huge aggressor if you are acting as one, inside the country and with your strong allies, people of the whole democratic world. On behalf of the Ukrainian people, I would like to thank you, Georgian people, for all your help and support,” said Rudik.
You can only fight a huge aggressor if you’re acting as one. Thank you, Georgian people, for all the help and support that we have received from you. Thank you for standing with us!@ALDEParty @VashadzeGiorgi pic.twitter.com/bIuzxycjec
— Kira Rudik (@kiraincongress) February 26, 2023
At the same time, a delegation of Lelo for Georgia journeyed to Ukraine. Party leader Mamuka Khazaradze, together with Badri Japaridze, Salome Samadashvili and Grigol Gegelia met with Rudik as well as the Servant of the People leader Olena Shuliak, among other Ukrainian officials. They also attended a session of the Ukrainian Parliament and delivered an ambulance to the city of Kyiv.
Kharazaradze, who was impressed by the Ukrainians’ resilience, said: “Ukrainian spirit is amazing. These people are reborn as a nation, as fighters who will not give up their homeland and future to anyone! I am happy to be part of this process. I stand where there is a fight for freedom, where a friend is needed!”
Ukrainian spirit is amazing. These people are reborn as a nation, as fighters who will not give up their homeland and future to anyone!
— Mamuka Khazaradze (@M_Khazaradze) February 25, 2023
I am happy to be part of this process. I stand where there is a fight for freedom, where a friend is needed! pic.twitter.com/WYnAczgHA3
Photo credit: Girchi - More Freedom
