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00:00We wanted to speak with you because you have a unique view here of what's going on in this war. You know what it's like to be targeted by Vladimir Putin by way of separatist regions. You had a front row seat to Russia's invasion of Georgia in 2008. Will Vladimir Putin continue this aggression. Do you believe until he achieves regime change in Ukraine. Well unfortunately I'm not or fortunately I'm not in whether near Putin's mind to know when and where to stop. Sure I have the double experience in my life for the 2008 war with Russia that you mentioned which ended the two regions 20 percent of the door just territory being occupied by Russia. I had also another experience in 2005 of negotiating with Russia and the withdrawal of Russian military bases. Yes. Through negotiations. So everything can happen in this world where nothing is predictable. I think what is important is to support Ukraine today which is really showing an exemplary resistance to these extremely unjust war. And that's what is something to be remembered that it is unjust. And it was just today and just a few minutes ago when on a front of the parliament where thousands of Georgians were gathered the president Zaleski addressed to the Georgian people together with a few other capitals of Europe. And I addressed to my people by because that saying that we need to support Ukraine because that's the value that Georgia has been defending of freedom and independence. And I think that those are the values that do hold Democratic word that it has been defending and should be defended. We don't own means that we are not lawyers. We are not those that are destroying countries. And we the democratic countries that are those that are defending freedom. Raise your hands. But we see very strong determination within ourselves against what Ukraine is. Sure. Are you concerned about this spilling over into Georgia. Madam President our listeners and viewers should know that you're right on the Black Sea where Russia has warships and has in fact been staging some attacks against the south of Ukraine. And you share a long border with Russia. What is the risk of a more broad regional conflict. You know we have been occupied in 2008. We have been at war with Russia right after independence in nineteen ninety one nineteen ninety two. We have been occupied in nineteen twenty one. Our kingdom has been annexed by Russia in 18 0 1. So we have all reasons to be aware. But we also have all the reasons to be confident that Georgia's resistance and Georgia's strong belief in independence and in freedom is something that is stronger than these attacks on independent states. And I think that the sanctions that the European Union and the United States have decided are very united and firm way are they to show to Russia and to Russian people because they exist. We sometimes forget that they exist. He's going to show to them that you cannot do anything anytime as you want to ask you about my impression. Membership in the European Union. Madam President forgive me for interrupting you. You said the EU should welcome your country Ukraine and Moldova. How would that improve your security. I won't necessarily improve the security at least at first but those are our values. This is our family and this is a place where we should be for all kinds of reasons because we share with the peoples of Europe our past our civilization our Christian civilization and our future. So a security will be ensured because nobody would dare to confront this now. I think strong Europe is stronger and stronger and I think a new Europe has been emerging. These last days. Which was probably not in the plans of me approaching but a Europe that you will have to counter. Yes you are. That is not talking with arms which is talking with economy was development with prosperity with the democratic values of human rights. And that's something that you will have to reckon with one day or the other. Well as you look west Poland and other countries that border Ukraine are seeing massive influx of refugees from Ukraine hundreds of thousands of them. Madam President I understand you're also seeing thousands of Russians cross the border into your country. Why are they going there. And does that present a security challenge. I don't think that there are security challenges that you don't agree with that vision. I think that the Russians that cross the border to come to Georgia and that probably those that are satisfied with that the image that they get from their own government today and probably are more attracted to a neighboring country region by the way has always been a very tolerant country. That was one of the main values of our history. So if they come with peaceful intentions and not some distant intentions they will be welcome because I think that if I was a Russian today I would be very proud. And I would that maybe wants to continue living in Russia.

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Georgia President on War in Ukraine

On Balance of Power, Republic of Georgia President Salome Zourabichvili, discusses war in Ukraine and how it potentially affects Georgia and the region. (Source: Bloomberg)

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