War in Abkhazia

In 1992, during the War in Abkhazia, the Ukrainian National Assembly called for volunteers to join their newly created military formation UNSO-Argo with intent to aid Georgian side against the Russian-backed Abkhaz separatists during the conflict.^[3][4] UNSO-Argo (named after Argonauts) with its 150 fighters were deployed to Abkhazia and stationed in Gulripshi, Shroma, Tamishi and Sukhumi. During the full-scale offensive by the Russian and Abkhaz sides in August 1993 on Shroma, Ukrainians managed to repel the attack but lost seven members of their battalion. However, on September 15, 1993, the Ukrainian battalion retreated from Shroma after being outnumbered by the Kuban Cossack formations. Some of the fighters of UNSO-Argo received Georgian medals of Vakhtang Gorgasal's Order, I class.^{[citation needed]}

In January 1996, Ukraine signed a CIS treaty imposing economic sanctions on Abkhazia.

1990s and early-mid 2000s

During the Shevardnadze era, the Georgian government maintained its close relations with Ukraine. However, the relationship has further enhanced after Rose Revolution in Georgia and Orange Revolution in Ukraine. During the Orange Revolution, many Georgians rallied in Kyiv in support of Viktor Yushchenko. Both countries maintain pro-western political orientation and aspire to join NATO and the European Union. The close friendship between Presidents Mikheil Saakashvili and Viktor Yushchenko has also played an important role in recent political unity of the two countries.

War in Eastern Ukraine and Annexation of Crimea

In 2014, Georgia condemned the Russian annexation of Crimea, voicing support for Ukraine. Georgia imposed a ban on trade and financial transactions with Crimea. This measure mirrored Ukraine's restrictions on such dealings with Georgia's breakaway regions, Abkhazia and South Ossetia, and was meant to signal Georgia's support for the territorial integrity of Ukraine.^[5]

Additionally, the Georgian Legion was formed by Georgian volunteers to take part in the war in Donbas on the side of Ukraine. The unit was organized in 2014,^[6] and in 2016 it was transferred under the control of the Ukrainian Army, under the 25th Mechanized Infantry Battalion "Kyiv Rus". The group is commanded by Mamuka Mamulashvili, a veteran Georgian officer.^[7][6]

Deteriorating of relations since 2015

Former Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili left Georgia after his second term expired in 2013 and soon moved to Ukraine. The new Georgian government brought criminal charges against him, and he was sentenced in absentia to 6 years in prison by the Tbilisi City Court. Ukraine has rejected Tbilisi's request for the extradition.^[8] In 2015, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko appointed Saakashvili as governor of Odesa Oblast, Ukraine's largest province. After his appointment relations between the two countries soured, and for several years Ukraine did not have an Ambassador to Georgia.^[9]

Following Saakashvili's resignation from the post of Odesa governor in November 2016, bilateral relations between the two countries began improving.^[10] In March 2017, Ukraine, which was at the time a temporary member of the United Nations Security Council, proposed a resolution supporting the territorial integrity of Georgia. However, Russia used its power as a permanent member of the council to veto any further discussion on the matter.^[11] Georgia and Ukraine, along with Azerbaijan and Moldova, also vowed to renew their economic ties through GUAM, an economic organization consisting of the four countries.^[12]

Georgia and Ukraine have maintained some military ties as well. In 2018, Georgia and Ukraine each participated in Operation Noble Partner 18, and Georgian soldiers and Ukrainian marines conducted urban operations exercises together.^[13]

Relations between Ukraine and Georgia again began to deteriorate in 2020 after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky appointed Saakashvili as a head of the executive committee of the National Reform Council of Ukraine. In June 2020, Georgia decided to recall its ambassador to Kyiv.^[14]

The relations further deteriorated after Mikheil Saakashvili returned to Georgia in October 2021. By this time Saakashvili had already been condemned by the Tbilisi City Court to six years in prison in absentia for abuse of power, embezzlement, and his implication in the attempted murder of an opposition lawmaker.^[15][16] Saakashvili's return to Georgia became known to the public after he published a video that, according to his description, had been taken in Batumi. The ruling party, "Georgian Dream" called the video "deepfake" and stated that Saakashvili was in Ukraine and had not left the territory of Ukraine. Mamuka Mdinaradze, a leader of the Georgia's ruling party, said that the Georgian government had "specific information" that Saakashvili did not leave the territory of Ukraine at all.^[17] However, later it was confirmed that Saakashvili was actually in Georgia, and he was arrested by the police. This situation led to further straining of the Georgia-Ukraine relations. The investigation found out that Saakashvili entered Georgia secretly, hiding in a semi-trailer truck loaded with milk products, bypassing the customs control.^[18] In response to arrest of Mikheil Saakashvili, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that he would use "various means" to return Saakashvili back to the country. This was criticized by the Georgian authorities.^[19]