On Tuesday, 4 November 2025, a conference titled Ways to Secure the Release of Georgia’s Third President, Mikheil Saakashvili, from Illegal Imprisonment; the Political Situation in Georgia took place at the GDIP Media Center in a combined offline and online mode.

The event was jointly organised by the Ukrainian Center of Peacebuilding NGO and the civil movement For Mikheil Saakashvili’s Freedom, with the support of State Enterprise ‘Directorate-General for Rendering Services to Diplomatic Missions’.

The conference brought together representatives of Ukrainian state authorities, academic institutions, the Georgian community, and Ukrainian media.

Co-moderators, Denys Bordiian, Head of the Ukrainian Center of Peacebuilding, and Manana Andguladze, official representative of the civil movement For Mikheil Saakashvili’s Freedom in Ukraine and Head of the Youth for a European Future NGO started the event with opening remarks.

‘We all know that Georgian and Ukrainian peoples are friends and brotherly nations. According to Ukraine’s National Security Strategy (2020) and Foreign Policy Strategy (2021), Georgia is recognised as a strategic partner of Ukraine. However, we are all witnessing the situation currently unfolding in the world. […] We have gathered here today to discuss the case of Mikheil Saakashvili, the third President of Georgia (2004–7, 2008–13), who is also a citizen of Ukraine, as well as to discuss the current political situation and ongoing developments in Georgia,’

emphasised Denys Bordiian, Head of the Ukrainian Center of Peacebuilding, highlighting the topic of the conference.

In her opening address, Manana Andguladze thanked the participants and speakers, in particular Mykhailo Podoliak as a representative of the Ukrainian authorities, for their direct involvement in the discussion. Ms Andguladze also read out the text of the organisation’s official letter addressed to the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

‘Dear friends, I miss you very much. My heart remains in Kyiv. Every moment I dream of Ukraine. I start my morning with news from Ukraine. As a citizen and patriot of Ukraine, I deeply suffer from being unable to stand by your side and continue our common struggle. Yet I assure you: neither poisoning, nor torture, nor injustice have broken my spirit. I am grateful to you for not forgetting me. I sincerely thank Mykhailo Podoliak, Vadym Halaichuk, and other officials who offer their support and solidarity. I am absolutely confident that we will prevail — and that I will return home, embrace you in person, and express my gratitude to you.’

The event featured a professional discussion on the current political situation in Georgia, in particular on attempts to establish authoritarian rule, the state of political parties, and the prospects of their possible ban. Participants addressed allegations of fraud during presidential, parliamentary, and local elections, as well as manipulations of the electoral system. Special attention was given to the topic of political prisoners, waves of protests, and the unlawful imprisonment of the third President of Georgia, Mikheil Saakashvili. The conference also featured an expert analysis of the socio-economic and political situation in the country, russia’s influence, and the condition of civil society, the media, the private sector, the education system, the legal framework, and state institutions. Additionally, the speakers discussed manifestations of anti-Western and anti-Ukrainian policies, along with possible geopolitical development scenarios for Georgia.

During the discussion on political opposition, protests, and the situation of Mikheil Saakashvili and other political prisoners, the floor was taken by Giorgi Ugulava, politician and Mayor of Tbilisi (2005–13); Giorgi Baramidze, representative of the United National Movement political party; and Mykhailo Podoliak, Advisor to the Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine.

During his speech, Giorgi Ugulava shared his personal story connected with both Georgia and Ukraine, as well as the role and significance of Mikheil Saakashvili in the current political struggle. The speaker recalled his acquaintance and cooperation with the third President of Georgia, his arrests and current imprisonment, which should be regarded as part of the broader fight against russian imperialism:

‘In 2022, russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, and Mikheil, as a citizen and patriot of Ukraine, could have been of great service to the country thanks to his numerous connections. […] I believe that his current imprisonment is part of this struggle. We are all fighting on different levels of this vast process: some are fighting with weapons, drones, or swords; some — from behind bars, and others — abroad.’

Mr Ugulava emphasised the shared struggle of Georgia and Ukraine against russian influence, the courage and symbolic role of Mikheil Saakashvili, and underlined the need to continue this fight at every level — political, cultural, and spiritual.

Giorgi Baramidze, representative of the United National Movement political party, stated:

‘For us, for Georgians, Ukraine’s victory is Georgia’s victory. We will continue our principled, non-violent struggle so that, against the backdrop of our Ukrainian friends’ triumph on the battlefield, we too can soon celebrate our own victory — to once again become strategic partners and return to our path of Western path of development.’

Mr Baramidze described Mikheil Saakashvili as a leader of democratic reforms and the main opponent of russian influence, noting that the politician’s imprisonment has become a symbol of the Kremlin’s attempt to bring Georgia back under its control through soft power — oligarchic pressure, information operations, and a pro-russian regime. The speaker condemned the current Georgian government for distancing the country from the West, persecuting the opposition, and aligning with authoritarian regimes. He also thanked the Ukrainian people for their solidarity and called for continued non-violent resistance to secure Saakashvili’s release and return Georgia to the path of democratic and European development.

‘Mikheil Saakashvili is a historic figure — a symbol of Georgia as it once was and as it will be. He pays an enormous price every day, and that is remarkable, because a country that does not respect its president cannot truly exist,’

— said Mykhailo Podoliak, commenting on the symbolism and sacrifice embodied by Georgia’s third President. He also drew the audience’s attention to the threat of russian imperialism, outlining the history of moscow’s pressure on Georgia — from open aggression to ‘soft’ operations, named putin as the source of this threat and stressed that Saakashvili’s imprisonment symbolises the broader campaign against Georgia. Mr Podoliak described Saakashvili as a historic leader who restored his country’s reputation and continues to pay a high personal price for freedom. He criticised the current pro-russian regime in Georgia for betraying national interests and distancing the country from the West, called for courage and perseverance in the struggle, and expressed confidence in the future of both Georgia and Ukraine, noting that those who betray their nations will inevitably face retaliation.

The conference also featured contributions from Nika Chitadze, political scientist and full professor at the International Black Sea University of Georgia; Akaki Khuskivadze, Head of the Trade Union of Education Workers NGO and representative of the civil movement For Mikheil Saakashvili’s Freedom; Akaki Kobaladze, political expert and representative of the civil movement For Mikheil Saakashvili’s Freedom; Tamar Mikiashvili, full professor and economic expert; Lado Gamsakhurdia, President of the Caucasian Union international organisation; Vadym Halaichuk, member of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine and First Deputy Chair of the Parliamentary Committee on Ukraine’s Integration into the EU; Giorgi Bugadze, former Rector of the Tbilisi State Academy of Arts and Chair of the civil movement For Mikheil Saakashvili’s Freedom; and other members of the Georgian community.

Following the expert presentations, an engaging discussion took place, joined by guests attending the event.

A recording of the conference is available at the link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LEIxjbsLWt4