The Georgian government strongly condemned Russian President Vladimir Putin’s move to recognize Luhansk and Donetsk, two breakaway regions of Ukraine.

President Salome Zourabichvili tweeted that recognition of Ukraine’s Donetsk and Luhansk regions repeated the same scenario that led to the occupation of 20% of Georgia’s territory.

“Georgia stands by you, President Zelensky, and in support of Ukraine’s territorial integrity and peace,” President Zourabichvili tweeted.

?? strongly condemns Russia’s « recognition » of ??Ukraines’s Donetsk and Lugansk regions, repeating the scenario that led to the occupation of 20% of our territory. ??stands by you Pdt Zelensky and in support of?? ‘s territorial integrity and peace.

— Salome Zourabichvili (@Zourabichvili_S) February 21, 2022

Georgian and Ukrainian flags fly at the Georgian Presidential Orbeliani Palace in Tbilisi.

“The recognition of Donetsk and Luhansk by Russia is another step directed against the fundamental principles of international law and unfortunately repeats the occupation of Georgian territories in 2008. We strongly support the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine”, Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili stated.

The recognition of #Donetsk and #Luhansk by Russia is another step directed against the fundamental principles of international law and unfortunately repeats the occupation of Georgian territories in 2008. We strongly support the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine??

— Irakli Garibashvili (@GharibashviliGe) February 21, 2022

Foreign Minister David Zalkaliani believes the recognition of Ukraine’s breakaway regions is a violation of fundamental principles of international law.

“Recognition of Donetsk and Luhansk by Russia is a violation of fundamental principles of international law and repeats the scenario of recognition and occupation of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali regions in 2008. We call on our int’l partners to respond to another violation of European security and international law,” Zalkaliani tweeted.

Recognition of #Donetsk & #Luhansk by Russia is a violation of fundamental principles of int'l law & repeats t/scenario of recognition & occupation of Abkhazia & Tskhinvali regions in 2008. We call on our int'l partners to respond to another violation of ?? security & int'l law.

— David Zalkaliani (@DZalkaliani) February 21, 2022

Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree on February 21 recognizing the independence of the parts of eastern Ukraine, sending Russian troops there to “maintain peace”.