President Volodymyr Zelensky met with Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili.
Straightforward: “Ukraine supports and stands in solidarity with the Georgian people, who are now defending a worthy future for themselves. It is important to always respect the opinion of the people and not let the Ivanishvili government surrender the country to Putin.
This is a question of control over the Black Sea region, which Russia wants to establish. This is a threat to the national security of everyone in the region and in Europe.
I assured the President that we, for our part, will coordinate with partners not only in Europe to respond in a truly systematic manner and help the people of Georgia defend their right to live independently.”
What preceded it: On December 5, President Volodymyr Zelensky signed a decree imposing sanctions against the pro-Russian authorities of Georgia, in particular billionaire former Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili and his associates. In total, sanctions were imposed against 19 people.
Protests continue in Georgia after the Prime Minister’s statement that Tbilisi is putting the issue of opening EU accession talks on hold until 2029.
President Volodymyr Zelensky signed a decree imposing sanctions against the pro-Russian government of Georgia, in particular billionaire former Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili and his associates. In total, sanctions were imposed against 19 people.
Source: Zelensky’s address, President’s office
Zelensky’s direct speech: “I have just signed a decree that gives force to the NSDC decision on sanctions. These are sanctions against that part of the government now in Georgia that is surrendering Georgia to Putin…
Ukraine has imposed sanctions against Ivanishvili and his associates – 19 people. Those who are selling out the interests of Georgia and its people.
And we call on Europe, America, and everyone in the world to act in the same way – to act in principle.”
Details: According to Zelensky, if we do not react in time or if we react unprincipledly, then what follows is lost decades and countries deprived of freedom: “We cannot lose anyone in this region – neither Georgia, nor Moldova, nor Ukraine.”
He called for joint defense against Moscow.
Updated: Later, the OP published a sanctions list, which included Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze and former Dynamo player Kakha Kaladze.
Sanctions list:
- Head of the State Security Service of Georgia Grigol Liluashvili;
- Tbilisi Mayor and Secretary General of the ruling Georgian Dream party Kakha Kaladze, who used to play for the Kyiv football club Dynamo;
- Head of the Court of Appeal of Georgia Mikhail Chinchaladze;
- Executive Secretary of Georgian Dream Mamuka Mdinaradze;
- Minister of Internal Affairs Vakhtang Gomelauri;
- former Prosecutor General Otar Partskhaladze;
- owner of the Imedi TV company Irakli Rukhadze;
- judge Levan Murusidze;
- deputies from the Georgian Dream Viktor Japaridze and Dimitri Samkharadze;
- Deputy Minister of Defense Giorgi Khaindrava;
- Prime Minister of Georgia Irakli Kobakhidze;
- Giorgi Kobakhidze;
- State Attorney in Imereti Zviad Shalamberidze;
- judge Shalva Tadumadze;
- Deputy Prime Minister Teia Tsulukiani;
- billionaire former Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili;
- Minister of Regional Development and Infrastructure Irakli Karseladze;
- Chairman of the Communications Commission Bekauri Kakha.
- The sanctions will be in effect for 10 years.
Protests continue in Georgia after the Prime Minister’s statement that Tbilisi is putting the issue of opening EU accession negotiations on hold until 2029.
The Baltic states have already announced sanctions against Georgian officials involved in the dispersal of protests, including the de facto leader of the ruling party, oligarch Bidzina Ivanishvili.
