According to the article published by Andrii Kasianov, the Ukrainian Chargé d'Affaires in Georgia, in the Ukrainian media, Kyiv asked Tbilisi to hand over the "Buk" missiles, which were given to Georgia by Ukraine during the 2008 war. According to him, Ukraine's request included the Javelin systems transferred by the United States of America to Georgia. Regarding the latter, there was not only consent from the United States but even a proposal to replace them with new complexes.

On January 10, the Georgian Defense Ministry reported that the information that Ukraine handed over "Buk" air defense systems to Georgia for free was incorrect. Ministry stated, "The Defense agency received the 'Buk' system in 2007 with a multi-million-dollar purchase. This was done under a secret agreement, which is why they are deprived of the opportunity to specify more details."

In addition, the information noted that the Ministry of Defense paid tens of millions of dollars in 2017 for the purchase of Javelin anti-tank systems from the USA. "We would like to respond to the incorrect information spread by so-called experts or individual media outlets as if Ukraine handed over 'Buk' air defense systems to Georgia for free, which is not true," it emphasized.

"Georgia firmly continues its humanitarian and political support to Ukraine, based on the possibilities available to it. A clear proof of this is the tons of humanitarian cargo sent, and among them, finally, the generators purchased and handed over to Ukraine at the initiative of the Prime Minister. As for the transfer of arms or dual-purpose equipment to Ukraine, the government of Georgia has repeatedly voiced a clear position on the issue," the information stated.

Saakashvili comments

On the same day, on his Facebook page, Mikheil Saakashvili, the third President of Georgia, wrote that it is a shame to refuse to give "Buk" systems to Ukraine.

"With the help of [former Ukrainian] President [Viktor] Yushchenko, Georgia bought them at a minimal price at the time," he added. "When Yanukovych came to Ukraine, they even opened a case against Yushchenko for handing over 'Buk' to Georgia, and they did it on Russia's instructions. Moreover, the instructor - Colonel Mamchur, who taught us how to use the "Buk," was killed by Russian agents in Rivne in 2017," Saakashvili emphasized.

"Now the Americans have given Ukraine many missiles for "Buk." Most importantly, with this step, we refused the Ukrainians and the Americans to lend their [American] Javelins to Ukraine. This is treason, and episodes of such treason will remain a heavy stain in the history of Georgia-Ukraine relations," Saakashvili concluded.