THE UKRAINE SOLIDARITY NETWORK (U.S.) stands in solidarity with the people and progressive forces of the republic of Georgia at this difficult moment in their defense of democracy, equality and justice, and their nation’s right to self-determination.
As supporters of Ukraine’s defense against Russia’s criminal annexationist invasion, we are fully aware that the ambitions of Vladimir Putin’s regime extend more broadly. The highly dubious declared “results” of the Georgian parliamentary election suggests that the governing “Georgia Dream” party, run by a reclusive oligarch, intends to return the country, against the wishes of its people, into the orbit of the Russian regime.
We note that the president of Georgia, Salome Zourabichvili, herself has rejected the announced “results” and that the democratic opposition is calling mass protest demonstrations.
Just as we are familiar with the deadly results of U.S. manipulation of the politics of Central and South American nations for many decades, we recognize Russian manipulation and threats of intervention as a menace to the independence of nations it seeks to dominate.
With no illusions that the European Union offers any kind of solution to its member countries’ problems of inequality, poverty and exploitation, we uphold the right of the peoples of Georgia, Ukraine or any other country to freely choose their own international associations.
As we have worked to build political, moral and material solidarity with progressive social, ecological, trade union and feminist movements in Ukraine, we will seek to connect with progressive forces in Georgia in their struggle to preserve their country’s independence and the democratic rights of the population.