Archil Talakvadze, the Vice Speaker of the Georgian Parliament, slammed David Arakhamia, a member of the “People’s Servant” in the Ukrainian Rada, by saying it was “sad” to see a high-ranking official of a country “in a severe war find time to make statements on Georgian internal political issues”.

Talakvadze’s reaction followed a comment by Arakhamia, who said that he had intended to attend the funeral of Vakhtang Kikabidze in January, but was warned by the US officials of potential “issues” he could face if he crossed the border into Georgia.

“When we continue to provide unconditional and firm support to Ukraine, when the Georgian Government [and] the entire public stands with Ukraine, a political person, a member of the Ukrainian Parliament finds time to make statements on the internal political processes in Georgia and statements that harm the friendship between Georgia and Ukraine”, - said Archil Talakvadze.

He also added that the public in Georgia was “united” with the Government in the efforts to “become a member of the European family”.