Ukraine is ready to provide political asylum Kikabidze

“If Vakhtang Kikabidze officially turns to the Ukrainian authorities with a request to grant him political asylum or Ukrainian citizenship, I am confident that such a great friend of Ukraine will be granted it in accordance with the laws of Ukraine, and will also be provided to any other Russian citizen who sincerely supports our struggle for independence,” noted the head of the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MVD) Gerashchenko.

The legislation of Ukraine provided for a procedure by which the head of state for special services can provide a citizen of another state with asylum or citizenship within one to two days, Gerashchenko added.

At a press conference in Kiev on March 17, People’s Artist of Georgia Vakhtang Kikabidze announced plans to ask for political asylum in Ukraine.

The artist has not come to Russia for more than five years due to disagreement with the policies of the regime of Vladimir Putin. Georgian singer, actor and director Vakhtang Kikabidze in 2008 year, refused the Order of Friendship, which he was awarded the then Russian President Dmitry Medvedev during the Russian invasion of Georgia. Kikabidze noted that he respects the Russian people, but will not accept the Order of Friendship from the Russian authorities in protest against the actions that the Russian Federation has taken against Georgia.