We saw Georgia’s support for the Security Council resolution, every country is doing what it can to help Ukraine, said today the US Ambassador to Georgia.

“When Russia invaded Ukraine one year ago, in an attempt to re-establish the Russian empire, Putin thought that he was going to be able to roll right over Ukraine. What we have seen is that he was very wrong. The courage of the Ukrainian people over the last 365 days has shown their determination to defend their sovereignty, to defend their cultural identity, to defend their independence, and freedom. President Biden, with our partners and allies, has led the international response to Putin’s brutal and unprovoked invasion and attacks against the Ukrainian people.

You saw my president was recently in Kyiv, where he said, “Ukraine stands strong, Ukraine stands proud, and most importantly, Ukraine stands free on this anniversary.” It’s a reminder that we must all work as hard as we can, as the United States has been for the last year, to restore peace to this region, to restore respect for the importance of sovereignty, for the importance of sovereign nations being able to maintain their independence and their freedom. That is what is at stake here, and that is why the United States and so many other countries are helping Ukraine to defend its sovereignty, its identity, and its freedom.

My country and all the countries that are supporting Ukraine have asked every country to do what they can to support Ukraine in its fight to defend its sovereignty and its independence and its territorial integrity. We greatly appreciate what the people of Georgia have done in response, which is an overwhelming humanitarian response to provide assistance to the Ukrainian people in Ukraine and here in Georgia as well. The government’s response to provide industrial generators at a time of great need in Ukraine, and Georgia’s response even yesterday on the latest UN Security Council resolution, calling for Russia to withdraw from Ukraine and to stop its war against the people of Ukraine. Georgia has stood with the West in international forums, has stood with Ukraine in providing humanitarian assistance.

All of this is greatly appreciated. Every country is doing what it can to help Ukraine in its time of need. It’s clear that there is a campaign underway in Georgia for the last six to eight months trying to undermine a strong partnership between Georgia and the West, between Georgia and the United States, Georgia and the European Union. This is. going against the clear choice of the people of Georgia who have very clearly and repeatedly chosen to go toward Europe. The people want a European future. The people want a strong democracy and a prosperous, diverse economy that is not dependent on Russia. Georgia has made real progress in moving away from its dependence on Russia in previous years. That momentum needs to continue.

There is no reason for Georgia to be dependent on Russia for trade, for security, for anything. Georgia has good friends. We all need good friends. I think those who are trying to undermine that strong friendship that Georgia has with the United States and European Union and many other countries, need to hear from the people of Georgia that this is not acceptable. They need to hear that your choice, your future is Europe”, - said Kelly Degnan.