On 12 November, Georgia’s President Salome Zourabichvili spoke with Radio France International on her trip to France about the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and the influx of Russian citizens into Georgia.
Speaking of Russians in Georgia, President Zourabichvili mentioned the influx of Russian residents into Georgia during the Russian invasion of Ukraine and said that, based on her knowledge, more than 700,000 Russians crossed the border, of which more than 600,000 departed and 100,000 stayed. The President emphasized that these are Russians who do not want to share the fate of Russia in Putin's war; they do not want to mobilize, noting that there were no significant events during this. The President claimed they are educated, middle-class young people, many of whom work in digital technology. She responded, "They are working, and some have come with money." President Zourabichvili responded to a journalist's question, "Why did Vladimir Putin permit this?" by saying that initially, he thought it would blunt the public's response, particularly in Moscow, where the mobilization had resulted in significant unhappiness.
About the Russo-Ukrainian War, she said, "This is a critical moment. When Russian forces left the city of Kherson that they had been occupying. The path of the conflict has turned. It marks the beginning of Russia's defeat." The President stated that Russia continues to miscalculate that it is possible to create an influence on Ukraine or the world with a nuclear threat, which is from another period. She also mentioned the internal unity that erupted in reaction from America and Europe. President Zourabichvili responded when asked if one could anticipate the EU losing its support for Ukraine if the war continues, especially given the war's effects on the economy and energy. She added, "Russia was anticipating this outcome, but it did not happen like that." Zourabichvili said, "The full split, which the Russian government intended, did not happen; none of their predictions were met. [Russia] also assumed that the European populace, used to comfort, would revolt against the authorities and their sanctions, which cost the population dearly. Furthermore, everything is now apparent, and Europe's reorientation towards greater energy independence is now complete."
Georgian President emphasized: "Everyone knows you cannot rely on a nation that is not democratic. Thanks to Ukraine, everyone has learned this important lesson." Zourabichvili emphasized that Georgia supports Ukraine and that Georgians are completely on Ukraine's side. "We joined the international financial sanctions fully and with great enthusiasm," she concluded.
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