This is an interview between Beka Beriashvili of InterpressNews and Oleksiy Reznikov, the former Defense Minister of Ukraine. The conversation revolves around the ongoing war in Ukraine’s importance for Georgia, the concept of a “Deep State,” and Reznikov’s current activities after leaving his post.
**Key points:**
1. **Ukraine-War Importance:**Reznikov emphasizes that the ongoing war in Ukraine is crucial for Georgia, with the majority of Georgians supporting Ukraine and standing in solidarity against Russian aggression.
2. **”Deep State” Concept:**He views the concept of a “Deep State” as promoted by Georgian officials as an echo of Russian propaganda narratives, which aim to undermine democracy and stability in Ukraine and Georgia.
3. **Current Activities:**After leaving his post as Defense Minister in September 2023, Reznikov has taken on an academic career, lecturing at universities and academies in Kyiv. He also conducts seminars on negotiation techniques and serves as a distinguished fellow of the GLOBSEC Forum.
4. **Return to Politics:**Reznikov states that he has no intention of returning to politics, citing his preference for a quiet life with family and friends.
**Key quotes:**
1. “When I heard this, I thought it’s a new type of information campaign… Only Georgian people have the right to decide how to react on their territory.”
2. “I really believe that your country has a good perspective to be an EU country… It was our joint movement in 2008 in the Bucharest summit to be full-fledged members of NATO.”
3. “According to the situation in Georgia, for me it sounds like an echo of the Russian propaganda information campaign.”
**Context:**
The interview provides valuable insights into Ukraine’s perspective on the ongoing war and its implications for neighboring countries like Georgia. Reznikov’s views on the concept of a “Deep State” offer a nuanced understanding of how this narrative is being used to undermine democracy and stability in both Ukraine and Georgia.
Overall, the conversation highlights the complexities and challenges faced by Ukraine and Georgia in their respective struggles against Russian aggression.
