Ukraine’s Chargé d’Affaires: Georgia opened its doors to thousands of Ukrainian families, more than 27,000 Ukrainians still live in Georgia

The Embassy of Ukraine in Georgia has published an article by Ukraine’s Chargé d’Affaires ad interim in Georgia, Dmytro Berezhnyi, dedicated to Ukraine’s Independence Day, which is celebrated annually on August 24.

Titled “Joint Struggle for a Common Future: From a Historic Victory to an Unbreakable Union of Free Nations,” the article highlights Ukraine’s long struggle for independence and the ongoing war against Russia.

According to Berezhnyi, Ukrainian independence is not merely a date on the calendar or a formal attribute of sovereignty, but the result of centuries of struggle by the Ukrainian people to determine their own future, preserve their language, culture and national identity.

“The current confrontation is a direct continuation of this historic struggle. Russia’s aggression against Ukraine did not begin in 2022 but has continued since 2014, with the illegal annexation of Crimea and the outbreak of war in Donbas.

Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022 was launched with the expectation that Ukraine would quickly capitulate, but the Kremlin miscalculated.

Millions of Ukrainians — on the front line, at defense industry facilities, in hospitals, critical infrastructure facilities and volunteer centers — rose to defend their homeland and demonstrated to the world an unprecedented example of national unity and resilience,” Berezhnyi writes.

Berezhnyi also highlighted the role of Georgian fighters who have joined Ukraine’s defense forces.

“Today, there are many Georgian fighters in the Armed Forces of Ukraine and other units of the Ukrainian Defense Forces — Georgian citizens of different ethnic backgrounds as well as ethnic Georgians who are citizens of other countries. With weapons in their hands, they defend Ukraine’s freedom, independence and territorial integrity, fully understanding that this is a common struggle,” he wrote.

According to Berezhnyi, Georgia’s own experience of Russian aggression and occupation allows the Georgian people to understand Ukraine’s suffering particularly well.

“On the Ukrainian front, the courage, fearlessness and self-sacrifice of Georgian heroes are the highest expression of solidarity and the most important contribution of the Georgian people to our common victory,” the Ukrainian diplomat said.

He also paid tribute to Ukrainian and Georgian soldiers who lost their lives defending the freedom of Ukraine and Georgia, saying their heroism would remain part of the history of the two nations’ brotherhood.

The article also expresses gratitude to Georgia for the support provided to Ukrainian citizens following Russia’s full-scale invasion.

“Georgia was one of the first countries to open its doors to thousands of Ukrainian families who were forced to leave their homes because of Russian occupiers and bombs,” Berezhnyi wrote.

He noted that more than 500,000 Ukrainian citizens were evacuated from Ukraine from late February 2022, with many traveling through Georgia to other destinations. According to the article, more than 27,000 Ukrainians currently remain temporarily in Georgia while awaiting a just peace and the opportunity to return home.

Berezhnyi praised the humanitarian and social support provided by Georgian state and local authorities, businesses, civil society, the Georgian Orthodox Church and ordinary citizens.

He also highlighted the establishment of Ukrainian-language sections in public schools in Tbilisi and Batumi, as well as assistance provided to Ukrainian children, including those from socially vulnerable families and families of fallen Ukrainian soldiers.

The diplomat further noted Georgia’s support through simplified border-crossing procedures, the extension of visa-free arrangements for Ukrainian citizens and access to essential medical and social services.

“Thousands of tons of humanitarian aid, generators, medical equipment and medicines collected by Georgian citizens and sent to Ukraine also played an important role in supporting Ukrainian cities during the most difficult period of the war.

We are confident that the common struggle of the Ukrainian and Georgian peoples for freedom, independence, territorial integrity and a European future will necessarily end with the restoration of justice, the complete de-occupation of our sovereign territories and the establishment of a lasting and just peace,” Berezhnyi wrote.

The article concludes with the words: “Glory to Ukraine! Gaumarjos Sakartvelos!”