Georgian minister's participation in Ukraine contact group meeting raises questions

Georgian Defense Minister Irakli Chikovani took part in the 25th meeting of the contact group on Ukrainian defense issues at the Ramstein airbase in Germany on Thursday. The information about this was disseminated by the press service of the ministry.

Both Chikovani and his predecessor Juansher Burchuladze participated in regular meetings of the contact group on Ukraine.

Over the past year, Western countries have practically nullified political contacts with the Georgian Dream government. After the October elections, its legitimacy was not recognized by the opposition, fifth president Salome Zurabishvili and some international partners. The U.S. and a number of European states imposed sanctions against high-ranking Georgian officials and security forces for brutally suppressing protests, tilting the country toward authoritarianism, and undermining Georgia's Euro-Atlantic future in the interests of Russia.

While no sanctions against Chikovani have yet been announced, his appearance at the meeting raised questions.

“Why invite a person associated with election fraud and Russian influence? If the US really values democracy and its allies, why legitimize the Georgian Dream by giving it a seat at this critical table?” Terje Helland, advisor to the analytical European Neighborhood Council (ENC), wrote on social network X.

He emphasized that only the Pentagon is responsible for invitations to the group's meetings and Cikovani's appearance cannot be considered a “NATO failure.” “This is a decision of the US Department of Defense,” Heland wrote.

The Contact Group was established in 2022 by U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin. It brought together about 50 countries, including Georgia, and played a key role in coordinating international military assistance to Ukraine.

Following the Jan. 9 meeting, Austin announced a new $500 million military aid package for Ukraine that includes air defense missiles, ammunition, equipment to support F-16 fighter jets, and armored bridge systems.

Thursday's meeting was the last under the outgoing administration of US President Joe Biden. Media speculate that after Donald Trump's inauguration, the US could withdraw from the group entirely.

Allies are already discussing options in case of such a development.

German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said Thursday that a group of allies aimed at speeding up arms deliveries to Ukraine is best left under U.S. leadership, but they would adapt if Washington changes its stance.

Reprinted from https://www.newsgeorgia.ge/