Georgia’s ruling party, Georgian Dream, has sparked outrage by using images of bombed-out Ukrainian cities in its election ads. The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry condemned the use of footage depicting the suffering and blood of innocent people for political gain. The banners and video ads juxtapose the destruction in Ukraine with peaceful scenes from Batumi, urging voters to “choose peace.”
Despite criticism from Georgia’s pro-Western president, the Prime Minister defended the campaign, arguing that voters must understand the cost of war. He warned that the opposition could lead the country into conflict and cited Ukraine’s past use of Georgian war footage in a similar manner.
The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry urged all parties to refrain from using the conflict in Ukraine for internal political purposes and emphasized the importance of Georgia’s strategic alignment with the EU and NATO. The controversy highlights the delicate balance Georgia must maintain as it navigates its domestic politics and international relationships.