Gharibashvili Says Sanctions Against Russian Would Negatively Affect the Georgian Population
By Natalia Kochiashvili
Tuesday, March 1, 2022
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili declared continued military activities by Russian soldiers in Ukraine as unacceptable and in violation of international law, outlining his team's proposals for assisting Ukraine's citizens in the current situation.
He welcomed the Council of Europe's decision to suspend Russia's rights of representation, highlighting the government's dialogue and solidarity with its Ukrainian counterpart. According to the PM, at the meeting of the OSCE Permanent Council, Minister Davit Zalkaliani spoke very clearly about Georgia's position. Georgia, together with 80 other states, has co-sponsored the UN Security Council resolution.
“The whole world is facing great challenges today. In this situation, every emotion, every step, every word, every action is very risky and we, as the government, are responsible for both domestic and foreign policy. As the PM of the country, I will not do anything that is against the interests of our country and our people. I will be guided only by our national interests,” he said, adding that the sanctions imposed by the West are not effective.
Garibashvili also addressed the sanctions against Russia, imposed on the country since its invasion of Ukraine, saying it would have adverse effects on Georgian citizens. According to him, this would negatively affect the Georgian population. I’ll no longer be able to transfer money if we complicate financial operations for them.
In his speech at the government meeting he also referred to Georgian opposition parties, claiming that the “radical” section of political opposition in Georgia is seeking to serve its own self-interest in the local discourse around Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. According to him, “destructive opposition tries to play on the noble feelings of the citizens [and] manipulate and mislead” citizens.
He also recalled the actions of the UNM government during the 2008 Russian-Georgian war, discussing the examples of the UNM selling strategic assets to Russian state-owned companies following the conflict that saw occupation of 20% of Georgia’s internationally recognised territory by Russian troops.
“In addition, since they failed to open the market, Saakashvili issued a decree in 2012 unilaterally opening a visa-free regime for Russian citizens in February 2012, at a time when [UNM’s] anti-Russian rhetoric was raging here,” Garibashvili, adding that if former president Mikheil Saakashvili was in power now, war would first starts here and then in Kiev.
Gharibashvili also highlighted the post-2012 Georgian Dream government as “the only exception when the country has not had a war and has [enjoyed] lasting peace and stability.
Due to the Western-skeptic comments on Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine he is facing resignation calls. Opposition Droa Party announced the demonstration demanding resignation of “Traitor Gharibashvili”, which makes for the second time Prime Minister Garibashvili faces public outcry over controversial remarks regarding Russia’s full-scale attack on Ukraine.
At the government session, Economy Minister Levan Davitashvili noted that Georgia is ready to provide maximum support if there are refugees from Ukraine and the assistance and humanitarian support from our side will continue, Georgia is in solidarity in this part and we stand clearly and unequivocally on the side of the truth. As for the closure of airspace for Russia, he responded that the issue will be discussed after consultations with neighboring countries in the region. Meanwhile Canada and the EU have already shut their airspace for intruder and the number of such countries is growing.
Georgia donated 100 tons of humanitarian supplies worth one million GEL to Ukraine, which was carried to Ukraine via Poland by the Georgian Post for free. Government has also pledged that all Ukrainian citizens currently in Georgia will be provided with all services free of charge. Besides that, the private sector and citizens have been offering accommodation and other forms of assistance to Ukrainians in the country since the outbreak of the war, mostly through social media groups. Additionally, the Georgian National Tourism Administration has established a hotline for the purpose, which can be reached at 0 800 800 909.
Russia began its unjustified and unprovoked invasion in Ukraine last week, following President Putin’s announcement of the recognition of the independence of the Ukrainian regions of Donetsk and Luhansk on February 21.
In the meantime, thousands of Georgians are protesting daily in Tbilisi and other cities across the country to condemn the invasion of Ukraine.
