On November 4, 2023, Georgian-language Facebook users (1, 2, 3) shared a photo of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky with the following quote: “I will be the one to return Abkhazia to Georgia “.
The quote attributed to the President of Ukraine on the return of Abkhazia is fabricated. The information that Zelenskyy made this statement is not found in the media and official sources.
The President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, has not made a statement, according to which he will return occupied Abkhazia to Georgia – a quote with similar content is not found in open sources, including the official social media accounts of the President of Ukraine. The quote was not published even on the official website of the President’s office, which constantly publishes texts of Zelensky’s addresses.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy last spoke about the occupied territories of Georgia on October 13, when he remotely participated in the summit of the member states of the United Expeditionary Force held in Sweden and addressed the leaders. The President of Ukraine noted that thanks to Ukraine’s defense against Russian aggression, new prospects for the restoration of territorial integrity will open for Georgia.
“New security perspectives will also emerge due to changes in the South Caucasus region, neighboring the Black Sea. This will add potential to our joint security here in our part of Europe. Especially when, thanks to our defense against Russian aggression, new prospects will open for Georgia to restore its territorial integrity.” – noted Zelenskyy.
Notably, “Myth Detector” verified the disinformation spread on the mentioned quote, as if Zelensky called on Georgia to start a war.
About the Source
Facebook user Levan Tavdishvili systematically publishes anti-Western and anti-Ukrainian posts and conspiracy theories. “Myth Detector” has debunked the false information published by the user a number of times (1, 2).
The user Sidonia Kavkasieli is a supporter of the pro-Kremlin conservative movement and “Alt-Info”. Several other Facebook accounts are related to it: Mtieli Sidonia, Sidonia Satadarigo Gverdi. Accounts periodically change names as well. Izabela Khomeriki is indicated in the URL address of one of the accounts. The disinformation spread by these users has been verified by “Myth Detector” in the past.
Facebook user Nika Lashareli publishes anti-Ukrainian, homophobic, and anti-vaxx posts. “Myth Detector” has debunked the false information spread by the user in the past as well.
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