Georgia’s ruling party Sec Gen accuses United National Movement party of hypocrisy over its stance on Russia
Kakha Kaladze
Photo: Tbilisi City Hall
Kakha Kaladze, the Mayor of Tbilisi and Secretary General of the ruling Georgian Dream party, on Tuesday accused the United National Movement party of hypocrisy, claiming that it welcomed Russians in every possible way following the 2008 war, only to portray them as enemies after Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Speaking to journalists, Kaladze said the Georgian Prime Minister’s letter had clearly demonstrated that there were individuals within the country who lacked roots and genuine loyalty to Georgia.
“The Prime Minister assessed the sad reality that exists today. This letter clearly shows that we have rootless people within the country. In 2008, when the country lost its territories, heroic soldiers, and members of the civilian population, and when infrastructure was damaged, the government of the time pursued a different policy. There were calls for Russians to come to Georgia. We remember that [imprisoned former President] Mikheil Saakashvili welcomed Russian tourists at the Larsi border with roses and poppies in his hands. Georgian companies were sold to Russian businesses. Saakashvili's bloody regime implemented a treacherous policy, and the country continues to suffer the consequences. It will eventually become clear on whose orders and instructions all of this was taking place”, Kaladze said.
“The sad reality is that after the August war, they welcomed Russians in every possible way through their actions and policies. They supported them, yet after Russia invaded Ukraine, we saw a completely different set of statements being made. What does it mean that when we were at war, Russians were considered good, and then suddenly became bad? This is hypocrisy. This once again demonstrates that these people are agents serving the Deep State and do not even have the right to ask questions”, he continued.
The Secretary General highlighted that, since 2012, the ruling Georgian Dream Government has pursued only the interests of the country and the Georgian people.
All News
04 August 2026, 17:33
Politics
Georgia’s ruling party Sec Gen slams domestic opposition over contrasting positions on Russia before and after Ukraine war
Kakha Kaladze, the Mayor of Tbilisi and Secretary General of the ruling Georgian Dream party, said on Tuesday that former President Mikheil Saakashvili welcomed Russian tourists to Georgia shortly after the 2008 war, arguing that the opposition’s shift in rhetoric following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine shows that it acts on instructions from what he described as the Deep State.
04 August 2026, 17:18
Justice
Georgia’s State Security Service arrests two individuals on charges of large-scale fraud, forgery
Officers of the Anti-Corruption Agency of the Georgian State Security Service on Tuesday arrested two individuals on charges of large-scale fraud and forgery.
04 August 2026, 16:40
Politics
Georgia’s ruling party Sec Gen: foreign representatives will not be allowed to shape politics in Georgia
Kakha Kaladze, the Mayor of Tbilisi and Secretary General of the ruling Georgian Dream party, on Tuesday commented on the establishment of a new political party by Victor Kipiani, the head of the analytical organisation GeoCase, saying that foreign representatives will not be allowed to influence or conduct political activity within Georgia.
04 August 2026, 15:05
Politics
Georgian Parliament official says opposition guided by interests of foreign patrons
Tornike Paghava, the Deputy Chair of the Committee on European Integration of the Georgian Parliament, on Tuesday commented on Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze’s letter, arguing that the opposition’s stance has consistently been shaped by the interests of its foreign patrons rather than Georgia’s national interests.
04 August 2026, 14:51
Politics
Georgia’s ruling party Sec Gen slams UNM, says party represents Georgia’s political past
Kakha Kaladze, the Mayor of Tbilisi and Secretary General of the ruling Georgian Dream party, on Tuesday said the opposition United National Movement was a party of the past.
04 August 2026, 14:01
Politics
Georgian Parliament Vice Speaker accuses domestic opposition of embracing Russian capital after 2008 war, adopting ‘Russophobia’ after 2022
Nino Tsilosani, the Vice Speaker of the Georgian Parliament, said on Tuesday that the domestic opposition and “radical groups” had remained silent during the 2008 Russia-Georgia war and the subsequent occupation of Georgian territories, while at the same time supporting the Russian capital, further claiming that these groups only adopted a strongly anti-Russian stance following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
04 August 2026, 12:15
Economy
Georgian Prime Minister inspects infrastructure works in Oni municipality, emphasises role of new road project
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze, accompanied by Infrastructure Minister Revaz Sokhadze, on Tuesday inspected ongoing construction works on the Shkmeri-Mravaldzali local road in Oni Municipality, emphasising the significance of the infrastructure project for the region.
04 August 2026, 12:10
Politics
Georgian PM: despite 2008 War, United National Movement did not pursue tougher Russia policy, regime leader welcomed Russian visitors
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze said on Tuesday that, following the outbreak of the war in Ukraine in 2022, a distinct approach had emerged among the country’s “opposition pseudo-liberal minority”, which, he argued, warrants separate discussion.
04 August 2026, 11:20
Politics
Georgian PM accuses domestic ‘agent network’ of showing stronger anti-Russian sentiment over Ukraine than 2008 war
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze claimed on Tuesday that the rhetoric of what he describes as a “foreign agent network” toward Russia was never as harsh either before or immediately after the 2008 Russia-Georgia war, arguing that its members declared Russia an implacable enemy only after Moscow launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
04 August 2026, 11:03
Politics
Georgian PM says domestic political forces now critical of Russia previously showed no concern over Russian aggression
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Tuesday said that political parties, affiliated non-governmental organisations and their supporters, whom he described as a foreign-controlled “agent network” united into a single radical force, did not object to Russia’s aggression between 2008 and 2012, arguing that their current anti-Russian rhetoric emerged only after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
03 August 2026, 21:30
Politics
Georgian PM: public understands that foreign-backed ‘agents’ must not govern country
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Monday criticised the country’s former president Mikheil Saakashvili, claiming that recent statements made by the ex-head of state demonstrate what he described as an “unhealthy state”.
03 August 2026, 18:32
Politics
Georgian PM reaffirms commitment to restoring US strategic partnership
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Monday said he does not understand a recent statement issued by the US Embassy, arguing that under the previous US administration the Embassy was among the actors that sought to artificially fuel hatred in Georgia.
03 August 2026, 17:05
Politics
PM says Georgia may consider adopting new legislation in response to ‘coordinated attacks’ on national identity
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Monday said that his Government could consider adopting new legislation if necessary to counter “coordinated attacks” on the country’s national identity.
03 August 2026, 17:02
Politics
Georgian PM: collective UNM has no place in Georgia’s political system
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Monday said that the collective United National Movement should not be part of the country’s political system, arguing that its presence would prevent the healthy development of Georgia’s democracy.
03 August 2026, 15:17
Economy
National Bank of Georgia wins international award for financial innovation
The National Bank of Georgia on Monday received international recognition for its financial innovation initiatives after winning the “Excellence in Innovation - Open Banking & Regulatory Sandbox Ecosystem Georgia 2026” category at the Global Banking & Finance Awards® 2026.
03 August 2026, 11:47
Politics
Large drug seizure leads to arrest of six in Georgia
Georgia’s Ministry of Internal Affairs on Monday reported that officers from the Central Criminal Police Department had detained six individuals on charges of illegally purchasing and possessing particularly large quantities of narcotic substances, facilitating drug trafficking, and cultivating narcotic plants.
02 August 2026, 15:01
Economy
Georgian PM attributes strong economic growth to anti-corruption efforts
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Sunday said that Georgia’s economic growth in the first half of the year has significantly exceeded the initial forecast of the International Monetary Fund, attributing the country’s ability to maintain rapid growth partly to the elimination of corruption.
02 August 2026, 14:49
Politics
Georgian PM alleges foreign-backed efforts to undermine national identity
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Sunday claimed that criticism and insults directed at prominent public figures and historical personalities in Georgia are not isolated initiatives by individuals, but part of an externally driven effort aimed at undermining the country’s national identity.
02 August 2026, 14:41
Politics
Georgian PM accuses external actors of fueling hatred in Georgia
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Sunday claimed that the spread of hatred in Georgia was the result of a deliberate process driven from outside the country and described it as an artificially imposed phenomenon that should be confronted.