I have cancelled today’s session of the National Accord process, which was supposed to be held at the Orbeliani Palace because today, national accord lays around only one issue, Ukraine and our solidarity with Ukraine.

Today is a tragic day for Ukraine. Although it did its best to maintain peace, it could not prevent the full-scale Russian aggression. Today, as it tries to cope with this difficult situation, Georgia stands by its side.

This day is also tragic for Georgia and for all peace-loving democracies in Europe and around the world, for war has broken out in the heart of Europe despite all attempts at dialogue.

As the President of Georgia, the President of a country that has suffered similar aggression, I want to express our full solidarity with the President, the Government and the people of Ukraine. I want to pay tribute to the Ukraine soldiers and citizens who have sacrificed their lives for the protection of their country’s sovereignty today.

I must also join the call by the UN Secretary General and all other leaders for an immediate ceasefire.

I want to address our people, the political spectrum, the majority and the opposition, the government, and tell them that today, national accord and unanimity are more necessary than ever before for us and for our future. Strength is in unity!

I consider it necessary, in any format, be it an extraordinary session of the Parliament or through an enlarged Security Council, to express together that the whole nation stands by the sovereignty, territorial integrity and peace of Ukraine.

I have now been informed that a request for an extraordinary session of Parliament has been sent to me and I am going to sign it. I am ready to represent Georgia, with all my constitutional powers, in all the formats where the issue of Ukraine is being discussed, because the issue of Ukraine is one that affects us all and the voice of Georgia must be heard.

We are and will always be on the side of peace, but also on the side of adhering to principles. This is where our unanimity should lie!