There are national interests of both countries, and this is where we can find a format for discussion. This will be useful for both Georgia and Ukraine, - Mykhailo Podolyak, Advisor to the Head of the Presidential Administration of Ukraine, said in an interview with TV Pirveli.

According to Mykhailo Podolyak, the restoration of communication between Georgia and Ukraine can create a basis for discussing political, economic and humanitarian issues.

“Only dialogue can find a way out of any problem. We have a good example in Hungary, where the government has changed, and we see how we can step by step move towards a good dialogue between Hungary and Ukraine. We understand the reality in Georgia. There is a bilateral relationship that can be promising, and these relations should be restored gradually. There was some tension that persists, but we believe that dialogue is the best way out. There are national interests of both countries, and this is where we can find a format for discussion. This will be useful for both Georgia and Ukraine,” said Podolyak.

According to him, the restoration of diplomatic communication is an opportunity to discuss economic and trade relations, as well as humanitarian issues.

“We should not forget the Ukrainian citizen who is still in prison, I am talking about Mr. Saakashvili. We should discuss all issues carefully. There was informational tension, I mean certain statements, including from the Georgian side. I understand the reason for this. But it is desirable to find an opportunity to talk respectfully. We have an interest in deepening partnership relations with our partners, logistical and thematic issues are already the subject of additional discussion.

Based on humanitarian motives, based on a historical perspective, we want Saakashvili to return to Ukraine or, perhaps, an intermediate solution can be found, to send him to some neutral country, where he will undergo long-term treatment. This is important for us, because Saakashvili is a citizen of Ukraine. His imprisonment is not a problem of Georgia, it is a problem of the Russian Federation, it is a personal problem of Putin, who is distinguished by great aggression against his opponents and is looking for an opportunity to create difficulties in his life. For Georgia, as a sovereign state, it is reputationally important that Saakashvili leaves the penitentiary or returns to Ukraine, or is sent to a third country, and Georgia can continue building bilateral and multilateral relations without this problem.

I would also like to say that the step of releasing Saakashvili will contribute to the warming of relations not only with Ukraine, but also with other European countries,” said Mykhailo Podolyak.

According to Podolyak, the Ukrainian side is interested in restoring Georgia’s contacts with the European Union and, if necessary, Ukraine will help.

“I understand the influence that Russia is trying to exert on Georgia, I understand that this is not an ordinary story, we see reduced contacts with the European Union, it is desirable that this be restored. If Ukraine’s help is needed here, we will certainly be interested. Reducing Russian influence in any region is beneficial not only for Ukraine, but also for this region itself. Russia is not interested in the development of other countries, its interest is to create chaos, to create conflict situations.

Of course, Mr. Zelensky will be interested if our bilateral relations develop and this relationship is based on trust and together we will be able to lobby for interests in Europe. We have partnership relations with Moldova, we are moving along parallel paths of European integration, we need to take concrete steps, first of all, to relieve tension,” said Podolyak, whose translation was disseminated by TV Pirveli.