Ukraine has asked Tbilisi to return military equipment, which was provided by Ukraine to Georgia during the 2008 war. This was stated by Ukraine’s temporary representative in Georgia, Andrey Kasianov. “The Ukrainian side has been consistent in its requests to all international partners, including Georgia, to provide weapons, military equipment and ammunition, and has openly stated its life-saving necessity at the beginning of a large-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine,” he said. 

In particular, Kiev has asked for the return of the Buk missile systems, which were provided by Ukraine to Georgia during the 2008 war. The Ukrainian request also included the US-supplied Javelin anti-tank systems. Regarding the latter, not only did the US agree, but even offered to replace them with newer systems. 

“Despite the Georgian government’s categorical refusal to provide military assistance, Ukraine is against the use of this issue in internal political disputes and rejects any accusations of attempting to draw Georgia into a war with Russia,” Kasianov said.