As reported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia
Georgia has offered Ukraine several options for evacuating Ukrainians stranded in the transit zone between Russia and Georgia. These individuals were deported from Russia after serving their sentences. This information was revealed in an official statement by the Georgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, published on their Facebook page.
The ministry reported that two options have been proposed for returning Ukrainians located at the “Verkhniy Lars” checkpoint: by sea or by air transport.
“The Ukrainian side is currently refraining from returning by sea and has not yet made a specific decision regarding their evacuation. Joint consultations are actively ongoing to coordinate a safe return mechanism for these individuals to their homeland. We hope that the Ukrainian side will make a timely decision regarding the return of its citizens to their homeland.”
Additionally, the Georgian MFA explained the reasons why Ukrainians deported by Russia were not allowed entry into the country. It was stated that these individuals have “invalid Ukrainian documents,” and their entry was prohibited “in the interest of security.”
“Most of these individuals have a serious criminal background and have been repeatedly convicted of grave or especially grave crimes, as evidenced by their submitted petitions for release from places of detention. Furthermore, they themselves claim to have served sentences for crimes committed in correctional facilities in eastern Ukraine. Accordingly, in the interest of national security, they were denied entry into the country.”
On June 26, the Ukrainian MFA reported that several Ukrainians were being held in inadequate conditions at the Russian-Georgian border after being deported from Russia following the completion of their sentences. Ukrainian diplomats are actively working to resolve this situation. Thanks to a coordinated controlled transit mechanism, part of the Ukrainians have already been evacuated.
You might be interested in:
Georgia Proposes Evacuation Options for Ukrainians Stranded at Russia-Georgia Border – Букви
