Zelenskiy backs Georgia protesters in fight for ‘democratic success’ amid further clashes

Ukraine president supports rallies calling for rejection of legislation that critics say would imperil efforts by the former Soviet republic to join the EU

Volodymyr Zelenskiy has called for “democratic success” in Georgia, as thousands of protesters rallied against legislation that could undercut Tbilisi’s efforts to join the EU, and which critics have compared to a law in Russia that has been used to stifle dissent.

“There is no Ukrainian who would not wish success to our friendly Georgia. Democratic success. European success,” the Ukrainian president said in a Wednesday evening address. “We want to be in the European Union and we will be there. We want Georgia to be in the European Union, and I am sure it will be there. We want Moldova to be in the European Union, and I am sure it will be there. All free nations of Europe deserve this.”