Georgian Parliament Speaker: Georgia withstood unprecedented external pressure in 2025, peace policy remains cornerstone

Georgian Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili on Monday addressed the Ambassadors’ Conference, stating that he was pleased to have the opportunity to present a summary of the past political year, assess the current international reality, and outline Georgia’s future vision.

In his address, Papuashvili stressed it was now an established fact that Georgia endured unprecedented external pressure throughout 2025.

He emphasised that the aim of this pressure was interference in Georgia’s internal affairs, the artificial alteration of domestic political processes, and active manipulation of public sentiment.

As he noted, it has become clear that the developments surrounding Georgia were not the result of internal dynamics, but rather a projection of regional and global confrontation amid the fourth year of the war in Ukraine and open competition among major powers.

Highlighting key global trends, the Speaker stressed that the global security architecture has collapsed, the unipolar world order no longer exists, and the post-Cold War era of international relations has ended.

States are now actively seeking a new balance of power, prioritising the protection of their national interests. In this new reality, national interest has become a decisive category shaping state policies, alliances, and influence. A multipolar world is emerging, Papuashvili said, in which no single actor holds absolute moral monopoly.

He further noted that nothing will remain as it was in the past, and today’s reality does not allow for simple predictions about the future.

According to Papuashvili, the United States is effectively abandoning its long-standing role as the “world’s policeman”, while Europe and the European Union face strategic uncertainty as they search for new models of political, military, and economic security.

On this backdrop, Papuashvili said Georgia’s policy essence has become evident.

He underlined that Georgia was pressured to play an active role in what he described as a doomed scenario, despite standing on the line of fire.

“We withstood this pressure with the support and approval of the Georgian people”, he said.

The Speaker emphasised that Georgia’s peace policy was neither a sign of weakness nor a situational decision, but a deliberate, responsible, and state-centered choice that saved the country at a critical moment.

He stated that the peace doctrine remains and will continue to be the foundation of Georgia’s domestic and foreign policy, including in 2026, despite criticism from radical groups.

Papuashvili expressed hope for the end of the war in Ukraine and for lasting peace, while noting that the form, timing, and geopolitical outcome of the conflict remain uncertain. He stressed that Georgia must be prepared for any challenge, pressure, or resistance, underscoring that “Georgia First” is the country’s core strategy and guiding principle.

He reaffirmed that the Georgian Government remains open to constructive dialogue with all partners who respect Georgia’s sovereignty and national interests, adding that pressure, blackmail, and political moralizing cannot replace dialogue.

Sovereignty, he said, is not merely a political status but the foundation of national identity, and its protection does not imply isolation.

In conclusion, Papuashvili highlighted the special responsibility of Georgian ambassadors in representing the state and defending national interests. He thanked them for their patriotism, professionalism, dedication, and service, wishing them continued success in serving Georgia.