The Situation Around Mikheil Saakashvili
Giuli Alasania, the mother of former Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili, has publicly identified a list of international figures who are actively working to secure his freedom. Among those she mentioned are:
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy
- Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk
- U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio
- Former U.S. President Donald Trump
Alasania noted that her family receives the strongest backing from Ukraine, even though Georgian authorities continue to refuse handing Saakashvili over. Saakashvili, who also served as head of Ukraine’s Odesa Regional State Administration, has personally asked Zelenskyy to include him in a list of civilian prisoners eligible for exchange. However, Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze has stated there is no chance of transferring Saakashvili to Ukraine. Donald Tusk recently dedicated an entire European People’s Party conference to Saakashvili, highlighting robust support from Polish political circles. Polish Member of the European Parliament Małgorzata Gosiewska was also cited as a key supporter.
Giuli Alasania emphasized that her son considers Zelenskyy a close friend, along with historian Anne Applebaum. She also expressed gratitude to Mykhailo Podolyak for his active engagement in efforts to free Saakashvili.
'President Zelenskyy is very actively involved in this. Mykhailo Podolyak – I am deeply grateful to him,' Alasania stated.She also referenced the empty chair bearing her son’s name at Tusk’s conference, a symbolic gesture representing his absence.
Donald Trump and Marco Rubio both have personal connections with Saakashvili, and Alasania recalled the support her son received from the late Senator John McCain, who developed a close relationship with him. In the history of U.S.-Georgia relations, American diplomat Richard Holbrooke played a significant role, helping to establish communication with international media during the 2008 war.
Influence of International Leaders
Alasania also named other leaders who could potentially influence the situation:
- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan
- President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev
- Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan
'I do not expect any justice or fairness from Georgia,' Giuli Alasania stressed, expressing pessimism about the possibility of a fair resolution within the country.
Saakashvili, who was returned to Correctional Facility No. 12 in November 2025 after treatment at the Vivamed clinic, received a nine-year prison sentence in March 2025. The situation remains tense, and his family continues to rely on the support of international leaders in their fight for his release.
The case of Mikheil Saakashvili underscores the intricacies of international relations and the political maneuvering that could determine his fate. His mother’s statements, along with backing from global figures, suggest growing attention to his plight—yet the official stance of Georgia’s government remains firm. This highlights that Saakashvili’s imprisonment is not only a personal tragedy but also a flashpoint in the broader geopolitical dynamics between Georgia, Ukraine, and the West.