Russia's invasion of Ukraine Georgia Ambassador: We may be next in line

Russia's invasion of Ukraine Georgia Ambassador: We may be next in line 

Of: 

Emil Forsberg 

Published: Today 08.58 

Updated: Today 09.14

NEWS 

The Russian invasion of Ukraine is spreading unrest in neighboring countries. 

Georgia fears that it may be next in line. 

- We are ready to defend ourselves, says Ambassador Irakli Khutsurauli to Aftonbladet. 

14 years ago, Georgia severed diplomatic ties with Russia. 

The news came after an eight-day blitzkrieg in which Russia took control of the breakaway republics of South Ossetia and Abkhazia. 

When Georgia's Swedish Ambassador Irakli Khutsurauli looks back, he sees many similarities with the ongoing invasion of Ukraine. 

- We had the same difficult problems that our Ukrainian brothers have. We know what this means for them, it is a great tragedy, he says in an interview with Aftonbladet. 

- We have had three wars against Russia. We know them and know what mentality they have. 

Foreign Minister Ann-Linde and Georgia's Swedish Ambassador Irakli Khutsurauli. Photo: The Georgian Embassy in Sweden 

Wants to join the EU and NATO 

After the invasion, unrest has begun to bubble in the region and Irakli Khutsurauli does not rule out that Russia may attack again. 

- Even today there is a great threat. Russia's armed forces are stationed just 40 kilometers from the capital Tbilisi. We have received information from our partners in other countries that nothing has changed. 

- If Russia succeeds in Ukraine, they can invade any other neighboring country. Both Moldova and Georgia have been mentioned.  

Work is now underway to ensure the country's security. An application for EU membership has already been submitted and after that you also want to join NATO.

- We are ready to defend our country. We do our best to avoid war and want to join the EU and NATO as soon as possible. For a long time, we have defended European values ​​and exposed ourselves to existential risks. This is important to us, says Khutsurauli.

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Russian tanks. Russian tanks. Photo: Alexander Zemlianichenko / AP 

Accused of supporting Russia 

When Russia began the invasion of Ukraine, the Georgian government was accused of giving in to Vladimir Putin. Reports of pro-Ukrainian protesters being detained and the decision not to support international sanctions were considered to be in Russia's hands. 

Since then, Georgia has turned its back on sanctions, but it has come at a price. The neighboring country in the north accounted for 56 percent of wine exports last year. At the same time, 94 percent of wheat imports came from Russia. 

- From a Georgian perspective, we are a very small country and Russia is one of the largest. We continue to do our best and are in line with the sanctions introduced. But I personally do not think it is enough to stop the war, says Irakli Khutsurauli.