The News in Brief
Wednesday, October 16, 2024
Prepared by Messenger Staff
Kremlin Accuses West of Interfering in Georgian Elections, Denies Russian Involvement
In a recent statement, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov accused Western countries of attempting to exert influence over the ongoing Georgian election campaign while emphasizing that Russia is maintaining a policy of non-interference in Georgia's internal affairs.
During a press briefing, Peskov criticized the West's alleged "blatant attempts" to pressure Georgia's current leadership, describing it as "direct, undisguised influence" on the election process. Peskov, however, refrained from providing specific examples or evidence of Western involvement, leaving the accusations largely unsubstantiated.
"As for the elections, it is none of our business. We see blatant attempts by Western countries to put pressure on the current Georgian authorities and to exert direct, undisguised influence on the course of the election campaign," Peskov stated. "We do not and will not interfere in Georgia's internal affairs in any way."
The comments were published by Russian state-controlled media outlet TASS, although the report made no mention of any detailed instances of Western interference cited by Peskov.
Peskov also addressed the current state of relations between Georgia and Russia, acknowledging that there are "complications" but underscoring that the development of humanitarian and people-to-people ties remains positive.
Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze Responds to German Ambassador Peter Fischer
Prime Minister of Georgia, Irakli Kobakhidze, responded to German Ambassador Peter Fischer on October 15. Speaking from Zugdidi, Kobakhidze addressed Fischer's recent remarks, asserting that both Georgian and foreign supporters of the "collective national movement" would be defeated in the elections scheduled for October 26.
"I want to tell him [Fischer] that on October 26, Kakha Kaladze will win another Champions League with the whole team, and, of course, all those people who support the collective national movement, whether Georgian or foreign, will be defeated," Kobakhidze said. "It is completely unacceptable for the collective national movement to return to power and any receive support for this."
Kobakhidze's comments follow the German ambassador's social media post. On October 14, Fischer wrote on social network X, "Someone scored an own goal today". It was interpreted as a response to Kaladze's controversial comment, where the mayor referred to Germany's Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Anna Lührmann, as "Kubilius in a dress," in reference to Lithuanian MEP Andrius Kubilius.
Kremlin Accuses West of Interfering in Georgian Elections, Denies Russian Involvement
During a press briefing, Peskov criticized the West's alleged "blatant attempts" to pressure Georgia's current leadership, describing it as "direct, undisguised influence" on the election process. Peskov, however, refrained from providing specific examples or evidence of Western involvement, leaving the accusations largely unsubstantiated.
"As for the elections, it is none of our business. We see blatant attempts by Western countries to put pressure on the current Georgian authorities and to exert direct, undisguised influence on the course of the election campaign," Peskov stated. "We do not and will not interfere in Georgia's internal affairs in any way."
The comments were published by Russian state-controlled media outlet TASS, although the report made no mention of any detailed instances of Western interference cited by Peskov.
Peskov also addressed the current state of relations between Georgia and Russia, acknowledging that there are "complications" but underscoring that the development of humanitarian and people-to-people ties remains positive.
Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze Responds to German Ambassador Peter Fischer
"I want to tell him [Fischer] that on October 26, Kakha Kaladze will win another Champions League with the whole team, and, of course, all those people who support the collective national movement, whether Georgian or foreign, will be defeated," Kobakhidze said. "It is completely unacceptable for the collective national movement to return to power and any receive support for this."
Kobakhidze's comments follow the German ambassador's social media post. On October 14, Fischer wrote on social network X, "Someone scored an own goal today". It was interpreted as a response to Kaladze's controversial comment, where the mayor referred to Germany's Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Anna Lührmann, as "Kubilius in a dress," in reference to Lithuanian MEP Andrius Kubilius.