“We need heroes who serve their homeland not by sacrificing themselves in war, but by contributing to the country’s progress and development,” – said Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze in an interview with 'Rustavi 2'.

According to the Prime Minister, “the betrayal committed by Saakashvili” in no way diminishes the heroism of the Georgian soldiers.

Kobakhidze also emphasized that the country needs heroes who serve their homeland “not through self-sacrifice in war,” but by working towards the advancement and development of Georgia.

“If we were to commit the same betrayal tomorrow, the country would have several hundred new heroes. The army exists to fight; it doesn’t determine whether something is a betrayal or an adventure. The army receives orders and defends the homeland — that’s what Giorgi Antsukhelidze and other soldiers did. They defended the homeland from the night of August 7 until the end of the war. Over 400 people — both military and civilians — lost their lives in that war. The betrayal committed by Saakashvili does not and cannot diminish the heroism shown by our soldiers and servicemen. There is nothing to debate here. What Tea Tsulukiani said is absolutely accurate — although I would clarify one thing: it wasn’t just PR, our heroes fell victim to the betrayal of foreign agents, and we must never allow this to happen again in the future. That’s exactly why we defend Georgia’s national interests tooth and nail.

We do not need to create new heroes in this way. We need heroes who serve their homeland not by dying in war, but by ensuring the country’s progress and development. That’s why we must not focus on creating heroes through such tragic means. Our heroes need to live, to be with their families — and their families need them to be with them,” the Prime Minister said.