ISTANBUL

Kyiv on Thursday condemned the use of images from the Russia-Ukraine war in electoral campaigns in Georgia, where a parliamentary election is scheduled next month.

“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine condemns and considers unacceptable using in political advertising the images of terrible consequences of Russia's ruthless war against Ukraine, suffering and blood of thousands of innocent people, destruction of churches and the cultural heritage,” a ministry statement said.

Arguing that although the Georgian people may not be afraid of a new conflict in the region while the Ukraine war continues, the statement said that the price Kyiv is paying in the conflict is "also the price of peace in Georgia.”

The readout called on the Georgian government, the ruling Georgian Dream party, and “all interested parties” to refrain from using the conflict and Ukrainian citizens in Georgia’s domestic politics, reiterating Kyiv’s support for Tbilisi’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

“We hope that the parliamentary elections in Georgia will be held in a peaceful and democratic manner, and the Georgian people will continue the strategic course of joining the EU and NATO,” the statement added.

Multiple Georgian media outlets have reported the use of images from the war by the Georgian Dream party in its campaign banners.

The Georgian Dream party is seeking a fourth term in the Oct. 26 polls.