Georgia's ruling party uses images of destroyed Ukrainian cities in election ads

This was reported by Echo of the Caucasus.

The campaign banners feature images of Ukrainian cities, including Mariupol, devastated by the Russian invasion, alongside the message “say no to war!” and crossed-out election numbers of Georgian opposition parties.

On the other side of the banner, there are images of Georgian cities, including a nighttime view of Batumi, with the caption “choose peace.”

The Georgian Dream party confirmed that the banners are part of their election campaign, aimed at reminding the public “where the opposition is leading the country.”

Georgian President Salomé Zourabichvili condemned the banners, calling them “shameful and offensive to our culture, traditions, history, and faith.”

“How pathetic you must be to shamelessly present your people with a poster made in the KGB forge,” Zurabishvili stated.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine condemned this pre-election campaign.

"We call on Georgian Government, the ruling party Georgian dream and all interested parties to refrain from using the topic of the aggressive war against Ukraine and its citizens in the internal political struggle in Georgia.

Ukraine consistently, steadfastly and resolutely will continue to support the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia within its internationally recognized borders," the statement reads.

• In August, Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze criticized President Salomé Zourabichvili's invitation to the Crimean Platform summit in Kyiv, accusing her of having a special attitude toward Zelenskyy.