Former Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili has urged the country's authorities to close the border with Russia and ban Russian citizens from entering. He outlined his position on Facebook from custody, commenting on reports regarding the death of an employee at the Irkutsk Anti-Plague Institute.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha confirmed his readiness for a productive dialogue with Georgia. He described the recent meeting between the leaders of both countries, held in Yerevan, as "historic" and announced a planned meeting with his Georgian counterpart in Moldova.
According to Sybiha, the Ukrainian side intends to find diplomatic solutions despite a number of "sensitive issues" in bilateral relations.
"We are open to such constructive discussions. I will meet with the Georgian Foreign Minister in Moldova in the near future. Thus, we strive to properly establish diplomatic ties between our countries," the Ukrainian Foreign Minister emphasized.
Earlier, Georgian Foreign Minister Maka Bochorishvili expressed hope for real changes in Ukraine's position toward Georgia.
"It is difficult to forget unfair treatment, unfounded statements, resolutions, and actions when they occur," Bochorishvili noted.
She suggested that Kyiv's increased contacts could be due to Georgia's growing importance as a transit and connecting link in the region.
Tbilisi had previously declared its unilateral support for friendship with Ukraine. Meanwhile, Georgian authorities accused Kyiv of "unacceptable and contradictory signals" and attempts to draw Georgia into a conflict with Russia.