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Saakashvili’s return to Ukraine won’t improve ties with Russia, says MP

The decision to give the Ukrainian citizenship back to him might be a result "of the election and post-election agreement between...Vladimir Zelensky and Yulia Timoshenko," Leonid Kalashnikov said

MOSCOW, May 28. /TASS/. Mikhail Saakashvili being granted his Ukrainian citizenship back and participating in the Ukrainian political life will definitely not become a factor in normalization the relations between Russia and Ukraine, head of the committee on Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) Affairs, Eurasian Integration and Relations with Compatriots Leonid Kalashnikov told TASS on Tuesday.

"It absolutely will not contribute to the improvement of ties with Russia, definitely not. Moreover, the Ukrainian politics will also be in a whirlwind now, he will open a can of worms," Kalashnikov said.

Read also

Zelensky reinstates Ukrainian citizenship of former Georgian president Saakashvili

At the same time, the decision to give the Ukrainian citizenship back to him might be a result "of the election and post-election agreement between President Vladimir Zelensky and Yulia Timoshenko." "The fact that she is openly supporting Zelensky’s decision to dissolve the Verkhovna Rada (Ukrainian Parliament) and hold snap elections is telling. Saakashvili might even take part in the election debates or even be listed for the elections to the Rada, possibly as a result of these agreements," the Committee head added.

Saakashvili was granted his citizenship back by Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky and is planning to arrive in Kiev on Wednesday in the afternoon. After he was stripped of the Ukrainian and Georgian citizenships, he was granted residency in the Netherlands, his wife’s home country.

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Ukraine Mikhail Saakashvili Vladimir Zelensky

Lukashenko invites South Africa’s Ramaphosa to visit Belarus

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UN bound to stay as unique world organization — Russian ambassador

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US nukes in Poland to become target for Russia should confrontation with NATO occur — MFA

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Russia ready to cooperate with all interested partners to ensure security — Putin

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Ukraine’s army leaves first defensive line in Berdychi near Avdeyevka, says DPR

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Putin’s trip to China will rivet world’s attention, Kremlin spokesman predicts

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US-oriented structures try to reformat security system in Asia-Pacific region

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Global community changing tune about how Ukraine conflict started — security official

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Russia-Europe relations require fresh approach — Kremlin

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Kiev may use ATACMS missiles to hit Crimean Bridge — Russian defense ministry official

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Bank of Russia does not rule out keeping key rate at current levels until year's end

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Russia fights West’s sanctions at UN for the sake of developing countries — envoy to UN

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SCO expects Belarus to join the organization very soon — Shoigu

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Polish leader cautions NATO allies against provoking Russia

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Over 3,100 foreign mercenaries fight for Ukraine, most of them from US

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Russia warns US, NATO against harming its security — diplomat

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TotalEnergies to announce force majeure for Yamal LNG in case of EU sanctions

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Hamas says it received Israel’s response to proposal on resolution in Gaza

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Kremlin spokesman describes European Parliament as 'Russophobic machine'

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NATO bears direct responsibility for Ukraine crisis — Chinese Foreign Ministry

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