Zelenskyy expels Georgian ambassador

Georgian Ambassador to Ukraine, Georgy Zakarashvili, left Kyiv on July 6, as tensions between Ukraine and Georgia continue to rise due to the deteriorating health of former Georgian President and current Ukrainian citizen, Mikheil Saakashvili, who is imprisoned in Georgia.

This information was shared by the Georgian news agency Interpressnews, which referenced a statement from the Georgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Read also: Gaunt Saakashvili appears online at court hearing

"Georgy Zakarashvili was compelled to leave Kyiv as per the directive of the Ukrainian President," the statement said.

In July, Mikheil Saakashvili appeared in court after an extended absence. Photos of him in an exhausted and emaciated state were published by the opposition media in Georgia.

Read also: Foreign Ministry calls on Georgia "to stop abusing" Saakashvili and send him to Ukraine

On the same day, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that he had directed the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs to summon the Georgian Ambassador to express protest and suggest that he return to Georgia for consultations with his government.

Georgian authorities subsequently described Zelenskyy's actions as "insulting", and the Georgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs characterized Kyiv's measures as a "severe deterioration" in relations between the two nations.

Read also: Georgia’s Saakashvili says he’s dying in jail

After two consecutive terms as the Georgian president in 2004-2013, Saakashvili became a Ukrainian citizen and served as the governor of Odesa Oblast in 2015-2016. The Russian invasion of Georgia in 2008 cemented Saakashvili as one of Moscow’s staunchest opponents.

We’re bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron!

Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine