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The News in Brief

Tuesday, February 27, 2024
Prepared by Messenger Staff

Minister of Defense of Georgia Meets with Major General Daniel Lasica of US European Command

The Minister of Defense of Georgia, Irakli Chikovani, met with Major General Daniel Lasica, the Director of Planning, Policy, Strategy, and Capabilities of the United States European Command. According to information from the Ministry, Chikovani hosted the meeting and expressed gratitude to the United States for its political and practical support of Georgia.

"The parties discussed issues regarding US-Georgia bilateral cooperation in the field of defense and future plans. During the meeting, the significant contribution of the US European Command to the strengthening of Georgia's defense capabilities was emphasized. The Minister of Defense and Major General Daniel Lasica spoke about the importance of conducting multinational military exercises in Georgia. At the conclusion of the meeting, the parties expressed hope that the fruitful cooperation between the countries in the field of defense will be further strengthened.

Within the framework of the visit, Major General Daniel Lasica met with the Commander of the Defense Forces, Major General Giorgi Matiashvili. During the meeting held at the General Staff, the parties discussed current issues and future plans of cooperation between the Georgian Defense Forces and the US European Command," the statement reads.



Putin Accused of Ordering Navalny's Killing Amidst Prisoner Swap Negotiations

Maria Pevchikh, chairwoman of Alexey Navalny's Anti-corruption Foundation, stated that Putin ordered the killing of Navalny as negotiations for his release in a prisoner swap for Vadim Krasikov were nearing finalization.

Vadim Krasikov, a convicted Russian killer, is serving his sentence in Germany for the murder of Georgian citizen and Chechen field commander Zelimkhan Khangoshvili; he has been sentenced to life imprisonment.

Pevchikh revealed that in early February, an offer was presented to Vladimir Putin, proposing an exchange involving Alexey Navalny and 'two American citizens' for ex-FSB officer Vadim Krasikov. "I received confirmation that the negotiations were at their final stage on the evening of February 15," Pevchikh stated. "On February 16, Alexey was killed."



Lukashenko Pleased with 'Normal Relations' Among Georgia, Russia, and Belarus

The President of Belarus, Aleksandr Lukashenko, stated that he is pleased with the 'normal relations' between Georgia, Russia, and Belarus.

"Thank God, [Georgia] is establishing normal relations, first of all, with Russia, with us, the economy is developing. Americans have already forgotten Georgia. As soon as Georgians started to move in the direction that their country is independent and sovereign, the West started to pressure them. Among them, it concerns the USA. We have to draw the appropriate conclusion, nobody needs them in the West, there are many problems," Lukashenko said.