The Embassies of Poland and Ukraine in Georgia, in collaboration with Geocase, organized a panel discussion titled "Polish-Ukrainian Spotlight Session in Georgia: Fighting for Freedom, Defending Europe - War in Ukraine and the Role of Its Partners in Defending Ukraine & Euro-Atlantic Security." 
 

This event aimed to commemorate the second anniversary of Russia's full-scale aggression in Ukraine while delving into crucial discussions regarding the ongoing war in Ukraine and the role of its partners in safeguarding Euro-Atlantic security.
 

His Excellency Mariusz Maszkiewicz, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Poland to Georgia, and Mr. Oleksandr Shulha, Chargé d'affaires a.i. of Ukraine to Georgia, inaugurated the event with welcome speeches.
 

Distinguished speakers at the event included:

- His Excellency Paweł Herczyński, Ambassador, Head of the European Union Delegation to Georgia;
- His Excellency Mark Clayton, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Great Britain and Northern Ireland to Georgia, NATO Contact Point Embassy in Georgia;
- His Excellency Bartosz Cichocki, Poland’s Ambassador to Ukraine (2019-2023);
- Ms. Maria Zolkina, Research Fellow at the London School of Economics; Head of Regional Security and Conflict Studies at Ilko Kucheriv Democratic Initiatives Foundation, a Kyiv-based think tank;
- Mr. Maciej Zaniewicz, Senior Program Manager at the Forum Energii think tank;
- Mr. Viktor Kipiani, Chairman, Geocase.

The discussion sessions were moderated by Mr. Arkadiusz Legieć, Political Officer at the NATO Liaison Office for the South Caucasus, and Mr. Daniel Szeligowski, Head of the Eastern Europe Program at the Polish Institute of International Affairs.
 

During his address, Mr. Victor Kipiani underscored the interconnectedness of Georgia's agenda with the challenges faced by Ukraine on the international stage. He emphasized that major powers may have the luxury to deviate from the established international order, however smaller states like Georgia, which lack such flexibility rely heavily on the stability provided by that order.
 

Kipiani highlighted the imperative for thorough preparation and proactive measures in addressing crises, cautioning against treating crises lightly without adequate foresight and groundwork. He emphasized the inevitability of future crises in Eurasia and Europe, stressing the importance of democratic resilience as the primary defense mechanism for states like Georgia, which lack conventional military strength or economic prowess. According to Kipiani, Georgia's strength lies in the attractiveness and sustainability of its democratic institutions, which form the cornerstone of its national resilience and security. 
 

According to him: “This country [Georgia] has nothing else - no nuclear weaponry, no military might, no economic dominance or other - than the attraction of its democracy. And that democratic resilience goes through the sustainability of the country’s economy and the capability of its institutions.”
 

The event underscored the importance of solidarity and unwavering support to Ukraine as well as strategic foresight, and steady commitment to the principles of freedom and democratic governance in safeguarding the shared values and security of Euro-Atlantic nations.

Victor Kipiani’s speech at the panel discussion.