Georgian Parliament Speaker slams EU pressure on Russia sanctions as “catastrophic” for Georgia

Georgian Parliament speaker Shalva Papuashvili on Monday criticised Brussels, labeling calls for Georgia to align its foreign policy with EU sanctions against Russia as “truly catastrophic” for the country's future and security.

Speaking about a scheduled meeting of EU foreign ministers, Papuashvili claimed that pressure from Brussels is becoming increasingly public, whereas similar messages were previously communicated more discreetly. According to him, this shift now makes clearer “where Brussels is actually trying to steer the country”.

“If it is being said that Georgia's European perspectives depend on changing its foreign policy decisions, then this is truly a catastrophic call toward Georgia”, the speaker said.

He argued that the main point of disagreement between Georgia and the European Union concerns sanctions policy toward Russia. Papuashvili stated that Brussels expects full alignment with its sanctions regime, including not only preventing sanctions evasion through Georgia, but also imposing direct bilateral sanctions on Russia.

“These calls used to be made in private, but now what we have been talking about - where Brussels is actually dragging us - is becoming more and more public. The only issue where Brussels has a reservation regarding Georgia is that Georgia is not in full alignment with the sanctions imposed on Russia by Brussels. By full alignment, they mean they are not satisfied with, and it is not enough for them, that Georgia ensures EU sanctions are not circumvented through our country; instead, Brussels demands that Georgia imposes its own sanctions on Russia. This implies being in total alignment with Brussels’ sanctions. If Brussels says there should be a visa regime with Russia, we must also introduce one so that Russian citizens enter with visas; if they say there should be no trade in a certain direction, we must also introduce those sanctions. This is the only issue in our foreign policy actions where Brussels has been privately criticizing us - that we are not in full alignment with the sanctions policy, which means we are not imposing bilateral sanctions against Russia. This is what they are demanding”, he continued.

“In this context, foreign policy refers to Georgia's policy toward Russia. Georgia maintains the same policy we have been forced to follow since 2008 - the policy of strategic patience. What Brussels is now demanding from Georgia is that we impose bilateral sanctions on Russia. They have even written all of this in their reports. When you ask them, they tell you, ‘We aren't demanding it’, but then they keep badgering you, insisting that you must be in full alignment. When Brussels demands that we impose sanctions on Russia, we have told them repeatedly: if this causes an economic crisis, will you give us money? Will you help us? Do you give us your word on this? The answer is: no, we do not give you that promise. If this leads to increased confrontation and results in a direct military clash with Russia, will you come and fight alongside us? The answer is: no, we will not fight - they didn't fight for the Ukrainians, and they won't fight for us. If what you [the EU] are saying is true and it is explicitly written, it means they want to draw us into an escalation with Russia, which ultimately means war”, Papuashvili concluded.