Papuashvili: some forces in the West are ready to enter Georgia “on tanks”

Certain forces in the West, if they had such an opportunity, would enter Georgia on tanks, justifying it by restoring democracy, Georgian Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili told reporters.

On November 28, 2024, Georgian authorities announced the decision to remove the opening of negotiations on the country's accession to the EU from the agenda until 2028. In response, the West accuses the Georgian authorities of rolling back democracy, calls for an immediate return to the path of European integration, as well as the abolition of laws that contradict EU principles.

“If someone abroad had such an opportunity, they would probably enter Georgia in tanks to restore democracy,” Papuashvili said.

According to him, some politicians, especially in Eastern Europe, common sense will not prevent them from making such a decision.

“According to my observations, some people, especially in Eastern European countries, hold positions that allow them to resort to tanks, and common sense will not prevent them from making such a decision,” Papuashvili said.

As the Speaker of the Parliament noted, if earlier the enemy used to enter Georgia with tanks and weapons, now he uses sanctions.

Georgia and the West

Georgia's partnership with a number of Western countries began to deteriorate after the adoption of the laws "On Transparency of Foreign Influence" and "On Protection of Family Values and Minors", which banned LGBT* propaganda.

The West accuses the current Georgian authorities of rolling back democracy and anti-Western rhetoric. The authorities explain the breakup by the West's dissatisfaction with the country's position on the conflict in Ukraine and its desire to preserve its sovereignty.

The EU has frozen relations with Georgia, refused high-level meetings, suspended financial aid and the country's integration into the union, citing failure to fulfill conditions for the start of negotiations.

The U.S. also suspended strategic partnerships and some funding. The US imposed financial sanctions against Bidzina Ivanishvili, honorary chairman of the ruling Georgian Dream party.

Five EU countries, as well as the UK, the US and Ukraine, imposed visa sanctions against more than 300 Georgian government officials.

* Extremist organization banned in Russia

Reprinted from https://sputnik-georgia.ru