Junior Diplomatic Academy students paid a visit to the Embassy of Georgia in Ukraine
February 26, 2026
Junior Diplomatic Academy students visited the Embassy of Georgia in Ukraine, where they met with Chargé d’Affaires Irakli Abesadze.
The visit began with a guided tour of the consular reception area, where services such as marriage registration, birth certificate issuance, and citizen assistance are provided. Students gained insight into how a diplomatic mission functions, the privileges of its personnel, and clarified the common misconception that an embassy’s territory belongs to the foreign state.
They also explored the official reception room, used for high-level diplomatic meetings, and the conference hall, where formal events, celebrations, and even shared sports viewings take place.
Students were also invited into the personal office of the Chargé d’Affaires, where they learned about the embassy’s secure communication systems. They noticed artwork created by Ukrainian children depicting the war — a powerful symbol of solidarity and shared experience.
In conversation, the students demonstrated strong awareness of Georgian culture, music, and cuisine, and expressed gratitude for Georgia’s support of Ukraine. The discussion emphasized the parallels between the two nations — their shared history of fighting for freedom, enduring war, and defending sovereignty.
Irakli Abesadze spoke about his diplomatic path, beginning as a Vice Consul in 2014, followed by assignments in India and Greece, and his return to Ukraine as an Economic Consul. He also reflected on the challenges of diplomacy during wartime, noting that Georgia has faced armed aggression from Russia multiple times and understands the Ukrainian experience deeply.
Students discovered that Georgia has not maintained diplomatic relations with Russia since 2008, yet continues to actively support Ukraine despite difficult circumstances. Since the start of the full-scale invasion, the Georgian government has hosted over 700 Ukrainian children, supplied generators to Ukrainian cities, and ranked among the leading humanitarian donors in 2022–2023.
The conversation also explored the idea of freedom. When asked what defines Georgian strength, the response was clear: “We are fighters for freedom. We do not share our freedom with others.”
The Chargé d’Affaires also offered advice to the students, emphasizing that diplomacy requires practical experience in international relations. “Diplomats are like ducks — they can walk, swim, and fly, but not all at once,” he said, highlighting the importance of skill, balance, and consistency.
Students of the Kyiv Palace of Children and Youth performed a Ukrainian song, deeply touching their hosts and reinforcing the power of cultural exchange. The meeting concluded with Georgian cuisine and continued in a relaxed, informal atmosphere beyond official protocol.
As Rita Kosyak, Head of the Kyiv Palace of Children and Youth project office, emphasized:
“This visit offered more than insight into embassy work — it became a real lesson in international relations, highlighting responsibility, mutual support, solidarity, and the strength of partnerships between nations. It shows that diplomacy is not only about formal settings and procedures, but about trust, shared memory, and common values.”
