Irakli Kirtskhalia, head of the ruling Georgian Dream faction, harshly criticized Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, calling him a "so-called politician" and a "puppet." Kirtskhalia stated that Zelenskyy should pay attention to the situation in his own country, including issues of corruption, media freedom, and human rights, before criticizing Tbilisi, and refrain from calling for Georgia to be drawn into a military conflict with Russia.

"Before daring, as his senior officials have done, to insult our country and openly call for participation in the war, this puppet should first wash his mouth and only then talk about our country," Kirtskhalia said indignantly.

Kirtskhalia's statement followed Zelenskyy's speech at the UN General Assembly, where he called for Moldova to be protected from Russian interference, citing Georgia as an example of a country that was denied aid in 2008.

"We have already lost Georgia to Europe. Human rights and the European character of the state system there are only declining," the Ukrainian leader noted.

Earlier, a scandal erupted in Georgia over Georgian Dream campaign billboards comparing devastated Ukrainian cities with restored buildings in Tbilisi. Ukraine condemned the use of images of the aftermath of the war in political advertising. Several Georgian television channels were fined for refusing to broadcast the ads.