On June 24th, former Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko accused Russia of attempting to sabotage Georgia’s economy by cancelling flights and crippling its tourism industry.
He did so in a video on his Facebook page, with a lengthy post underneath.
He further called on Ukrainians to go on holiday in Georgia and that the country should be renamed to Sakartvelo.
“Our political force is fully in agreement with the people of Georgia, which opposes Russian imperialism and fights with occupation. Now Moscow wants to weaken Georgia economically again, blocking air traffic and damaging the tourism in Georgia.
We, the Ukrainians, should not leave our Georgian brothers in trouble. Of course, I urge Ukrainians to rest in Ukraine, but for those who plan to rest abroad or in the occupied Crimea, I recommend refocusing on Georgia. I appeal to the Government of Ukraine and the Ministry of Infrastructure with a proposal to provide a discount for aeronautical and airport charges for flights between Ukraine and Georgia-Ukraine in this period. Airlines could lower ticket prices.
Georgia has gone to change one key letter in the name of Kiev – because we are Kiyv, not Kiev [Київ not Кієв]. In my opinion, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine should begin negotiations on changing the official name of Georgia to Sakartvelo.
It is very important to help those who, like us, struggle with Russian aggression for many years. Supporting Sakartvelo means supporting Ukraine!”
Sakartvelo literally means “the country of the cartwheel.”
Порошенко закликав українців підтримати Грузію
უკრაინელების გულები საქართველოსთვის ძგერსНаша політична сила повністю солідарна з народом Грузії, який чинить спротив російському імперіалізму і бореться з окупацією. Зараз Москва хоче знову економічно послабити Грузію, блокуючи повітряне сполучення і завдає удару по туристичній Грузії.Ми, українці, не повинні залишити у біді своїх грузинських братів. Звичайно я закликаю українців відпочивати в Україні, але тим, хто планує відпочивати за кордоном або в окупованому Криму, рекомендую переорієнтуватися на Грузію. Звертаюся до Уряду України та Міністерства інфраструктури з пропозицією надати у цей період знижку на аеронавігаційні та аеропортові збори для рейсів сполученням Україна-Грузія-Україна. Авіакомпанії могли б знизити ціни на квитки. Грузія пішла на те, щоб змінити одну ключову літеру у назві Києва – бо ми Київ, а не Кієв. На мою думку, МЗС України має розпочати переговори про зміну офіційної назви Грузії на Сакартвело. Дуже важливо допомогти тим, хто так само, як і ми, багато років бореться з російською агресією. Підтримати Сакартвело – означає підтримати Україну!
Posted by Петро Порошенко on Monday, June 24, 2019
It should be reminded that on June 21st, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree under which tour operators and travel agents are recommended to refrain from selling to Russian citizens tourist packages that include visits on the territory of Georgia. In addition, from July 8th onwards all flights from and to Georgia are temporarily grounded.
This decision was made in response to heavily Russophobic protests, fueled by both the current Georgian government and the opposition, with also the protesters protesting against their country’s political establishment, but also “Russia’s occupation.”
Poroshneko is a ‘famous expert on dealing with Russian aggression’. So, his statements should be taken seriously, of course.
Rather, it should be noted that Ukraine has, at this point, become a tool used by foreign actors to try and fuel various crises in the post-Soviet states.
Ukrainian flags and anti-Russian hysteria can be seen in Georgia, the same could and still can be seen in Armenia. Ukraine has become an instrument to “present” the “malign influence” of Russia in the post-Soviet states, all the while the “Russian aggression” narrative is being used to carry out unconstitutional and questionable actions in various countries in the region.
Protests in Georgia
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