Georgian and Ukrainian civil society organisations demand a harsh reaction to Russian aggression

Sixty civil society organisations from Georgia and Ukraine called on governments around the globe to respond to Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in a "strict, united, and powerful" manner.

They advocated for the enforcement of no-fly zones over some portions of Ukraine, as well as the provision of anti-air and anti-missile defence equipment to the Ukrainian military.

The CSOs also called on the international community to take "the toughest feasible actions" against Russia, give financial and humanitarian aid to Ukrainians inside and outside the country, and create welcome circumstances for refugees from Ukraine.

The CSOs said that Ukraine "demonstrates a great example of courage in combating one of the world's most formidable military forces," and that "it is the democratic world's obligation to stand up for Ukraine in this unequal conflict."

They also stressed that Russia "essentially got away" with its 2008 invasion of Georgia. "What we see now is, to a considerable measure, the outcome of the West's leniency back then," the signatories stated.

"We feel Ukraine is waging this battle on behalf of the whole continent and the democratic world, and it is our responsibility to demonstrate our support for the brave Ukrainian people." The signatories concluded, "the moment to act is now."

Transparency International Georgia, Georgian Young Lawyers' Association, International Society for Fair Election and Democracy, UN Association of Georgia, and Open Society Georgia Foundation are among the Georgian third-sector signatories.

Address of Ukrainian President in Tbilisi

In a live broadcast, Ukraine's President addressed the crowds on the streets. Thousands of Tbilisians gathered in front of the parliament building to watch Zelenskyy's address.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy, in his speech, urged the crowd to remember the slain Ukrainian military and citizens.

Zelenskyy urged European citizens to act. If Ukraine wins, he says, it will be a victory for democracy and freedom, for light over darkness.

"I implore you not to remain silent. I urge you to walk to the streets and show your support for Ukraine, our efforts, and our battle. Because if Ukraine does not get back on its feet, neither will Europe. If we collapse, you will as well. So, please, don't be deafeningly quiet. This isn't anything you should ignore. Show your support for Ukraine. And if we win, which I am confident we will, it will be a victory for the whole democratic world, a victory for our democracy, a victory for light over darkness, a victory for freedom over servitude," Zelenskyy declared.

Salome Zourabichvili, Georgia's president, spoke to the crowd in Tbilisi.

"Today, I stand close to President Zelenskyy, next to Ukraine, where Georgia should stand. Our culture, traditions, and the dignity of the Georgian people demand that we stand by while our friendly nation fights for freedom, independence, and the future of Europe. We're also there, and we'll be there. From here, I'd want to express my support for President Zelenskyy.”

“You are the individuals who now reflect Georgia's dignity.” Salome Zourabichvili addressed the demonstrators and said, "thank you very much for this."

Azerbaijanis provide humanitarian aid to Ukraine

“We are grateful to the people of Azerbaijan. Since the beginning of Russia's war against Ukraine, Azerbaijanis have been helping us day by day. Every day 2-3 trucks are sent to Ukraine. A cargo plane carrying humanitarian aid was sent from Baku. They bring us everything - medicine, water, food, clothes, transfer money to a bank account listed on the embassy's website," a spokesman for the Ukrainian diplomatic mission in Azerbaijan said.

"Logistics is very difficult, now I cannot say everything, understand us correctly," he highlighted.

Assistance from Azerbaijani citizens is being collected at several public organisations and commercial companies in Baku. One of them is Red Harts Kapital Bank Group. Sevda Hagverdiyeva is the leader of this group, which unites more than 400 employees of all Kapital Bank's offices in Azerbaijan. For the first time, in the autumn of 2020, they began to help the victims of the Nagorno-Karabakh war. According to Hagverdiyeva, at that time they had collected a record amount of aid among similar organisations – 750 000 euros.

"When the events in Ukraine began, we started collecting donations for Ukrainians. The Ukrainian embassy refused to accept donations, so the group spent the first amount – 900 euros - on medicines. The Ukrainian embassy said it needed such assistance but added that the medicines were not made in Russia or Belarus. At present, the second amount is being collected, and we will buy medicine for this amount and hand it over to the Ukrainian embassy," Hagverdiyeva said.

Azerbaijan's State Compulsory Insurance Agency and Medical Territorial Units Management Union have sent medicines and medical equipment to Ukraine. The plane carrying medical supplies left Baku on February 27.

Nationalisation of Russian-owned strategic assets demanded in Georgia

Khma (the Voice), a left-wing organisation in Georgia, has demanded that Russian state or Kremlin-affiliated billionaires nationalise key assets and diversify import sources.

These strategic assets, according to the movement, include "the most significant component of the energy industry, mineral reserves, mineral springs, and other key resources and assets for Georgia's population."

Wheat, flour, and other important items are "completely" imported from Russia, according to the organisation. "Our economy's irresponsible capitulation is the product of the incompetence of current and previous business leaders," the report stated.

While such a circumstance allows certain authorities and businesses to benefit themselves, Khma argues that it has resulted in an increase in the cost of living for Georgian individuals in the present geopolitical context.

According to a recent report by Transparency International Georgia, there are 7,000 enterprises registered in Georgia that are owned in part by Russian people and businesses.

In addition, "big Russian corporations are represented in all areas of the Georgian economy," from energy to gaming, according to the report.

According to the document, Inter Rao, a Russian energy trading firm, is the largest stakeholder of Telasi JSC, Tbilisi's only electrical distribution business, and HPPs Khramhesi-I and Khramhesi-II, which will account for 3.6% of Georgia's generated power in 2020.

A Russian corporation also owns the majority of shares in Larsi and Shilda, two smaller HPPs.

Antony Blinken applauds Zourabichvili

President Salome Zourabichvili of Georgia and Secretary of State Antony Blinken of the United States spoke by phone about Russia's invasion of Ukraine and occupation of Georgia.

"The Secretary expressed thanks for the people of Georgia and President Zourabichvili’s personal, consistent support for Ukraine," according to the State Department.

Secretary Blinken reaffirmed the United States' steadfast support to Georgia's sovereignty and territorial integrity, according to the same news release.

The US will continue to "assist the Georgian people in their pursuit of a democratic, peaceful, and prosperous Euro-Atlantic future," according to the senior diplomat.

President Salome Zourabichvili, for her part, tweeted that she had a "wonderful" chat with Secretary of State John Kerry.

President Zourabichvili also expressed optimism for Secretary Blinken's visit to Georgia in the "near future" in a tweet.

Georgia supports the use of the OSCE's Moscow Mechanism in the case of Ukraine

On March 3, Georgia and 44 other OSCE members invoked the Moscow Mechanism to establish a fact-finding team to evaluate the humanitarian and human rights implications of Russia's military intervention on Ukraine.

The Georgian Foreign Ministry claimed in a tweet late on March 3 that the mission's goal is to investigate "the consequences of Russian aggression in Ukraine, including probable cases of war crimes and crimes against humanity."

According to the US Department of State, the experts will produce and share a report with OSCE members and applicable accountability bodies, such as national, regional, and international courts and tribunals.

Josep Borrell, the EU's High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, praised the March 4 decision. "Russia's incursion is wreaking havoc on the humanitarian situation.” He tweeted, "We see probable war crimes and crimes against humanity."

Tbilisi has recently joined several global initiatives in support of Ukraine.

Georgia was one of the cosponsors of the UNGA resolution calling for a halt to Russia's incursion in Ukraine, as well as one of the 38 countries that filed an ICC referral, requesting that the International Criminal Court investigate Russia's suspected war crimes in Ukraine.

Armenian communists supported the Russian army with action in Yerevan

A rally in support of Russia's military operation to demilitarise and “de-nazify” Ukraine took place on March 4, in front of the Russian Embassy in Yerevan. It was attended by representatives of the Communist Party of Armenia (CPA) and their associates.

CPA leader Yerjanik Ghazaryan noted that the Armenian communists fully support the special operation launched by Russia in Ukraine, as it is directed against fascism and nationalism.

“In 2014, with the support of the US and the EU, fascist and Nazi forces came to power in Ukraine. Since then, the country has pursued a policy of alienating the rights of the Russian-speaking population. Russia had no choice but to support the people (of Donbas) in their desire for self-determination,” the head of the party said.

Chairman of the Union of Soviet Officers of Armenia Ashot Papyan, in turn, noted that the fight against fascism in Ukraine was the only thing left for Russia since NATO had already invaded the post-Soviet space.

“Currently, serious work [of hostile forces] is also being carried out in the direction of Armenia, it is aimed at withdrawing the Russian base from the territory of our country,” Papyan said, adding that this would lead to “the disappearance of Armenia, and the Russian-Turkish border will take place in the vicinity of Rostov.”

Yerevan hopes that the Russian-Ukrainian talks will yield results and that diplomacy will be able to silence the guns. This was stated on March 2 by Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan during an event dedicated to the accession of the republic to the UN and the Day of the country's diplomat.

“We are deeply saddened by the unfolding events, which, as is already clear, will have global consequences,” Pashinyan said at the time.