Georgia unexpectedly backs "anti-Russian" convention on reparations for Ukraine

Despite strained relations between Kyiv and Tbilisi, Georgia has unexpectedly signed an international agreement establishing a mechanism to distribute reparations obtained from Russian funds among Ukrainian citizens and businesses affected by Russian aggression.

As reported in the article by European Pravda, even the fact that Georgian Foreign Minister Maka Bochorishvili in person attended the diplomatic conference on the signing of the relevant convention stood out to some extent, as most countries were represented mainly by ambassadors.

Bochorishvili delivered a "strong speech in support of the Ukrainian people", without mentioning the strained relations between Kyiv and Tbilisi. Georgia ultimately signed the so-called "anti-Russian" convention without any reservations or conditions.

The article also noted that Georgia has sent a group of journalists to The Hague to ensure the decision was widely covered for a domestic audience.

"What motivated this move remains unclear. Much will depend on whether the Georgian parliament proceeds swiftly with ratification or limits itself to signing the agreement in order to avoid further tension with Moscow," the article reads.

Georgia was the only country in the region to join the convention. Azerbaijan and Armenia did not attend the meeting in The Hague at all, while Türkiye sent an embassy official merely to observe and declined to sign the document.

European Pravda previously reported that a record number of countries signed the convention on reparations on the first day.

Dutch officials also said that holding Russia accountable should not depend on the outcome of peace talks.

Speaking in The Hague, Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys said that no reparations had been paid for the occupation of the Baltic states – a failure that later contributed to renewed aggression.