The Georgian Foreign Ministry wishes to once again refer to the ongoing developments in Ukraine, and to express its concern over the recent escalation of hostilities in the country's eastern regions, which are causing heavy casualties among the civilian population. The Georgian Foreign Ministry maintains that any act of terrorism, separatism or extremism within the borders of a peaceful and democratic state must be assessed in an appropriate and strict manner, reports GHN based on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia.
The Georgian Foreign Ministry once again reaffirms its firm support for the Ukrainian government and people, and expresses the hope that, with the support of the international community, the Ukrainian government will succeed in restoring the country's sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders and in providing a peaceful and safe environment for its population.
The blasting of a mine in Donetsk damaged the building which houses the Georgian consulate. No casualties were reported among the consulate's members of staff, however, as these had already left Donetsk according to the series of preventive measures carried out by the Georgian Foreign Ministry. Concerning this particular matter, the Georgian Foreign Ministry once again calls upon Georgian citizens to refrain, except where absolutely necessary, from travelling to the regions of Ukraine in which anti-terrorist operations are ongoing.