Georgia’s PM calls refusal to sanction Russia a "historic" decision that kept country out of war

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze has described the country’s 2022 decision not to impose sanctions on Russia as a “historic” move.

Speaking to reporters, Kobakhidze said the decision, initially announced by then-Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili, was crucial in preventing Georgia from being drawn into the war in Ukraine, Caliber.Az reports, citing external news sources.

“At the time, there was a direct attempt to escalate tensions in Georgia and drag the country into the conflict,” he stated.

The prime minister also warned that joining EU-led sanctions against Russia would have had devastating consequences for Georgia’s economy.

Tbilisi has maintained a cautious stance on the war in Ukraine, refusing to enforce Western sanctions while seeking to balance its relations with both Moscow and its Western partners.

Notably, former Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili reaffirmed that Georgian government would not take part in any sanctions against Russia, maintaining what he described as Tbilisi’s “pragmatic policy” despite the expanding international measures in response to Russia’s assault on Ukraine.

Garibashvili stated unequivocally that Georgia would not engage in financial or economic sanctions, emphasising that such actions would only harm the country and its people.

Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the United States, the European Union, and other nations have introduced a series of economic sanctions against Moscow, but Georgia has opted to refrain from participating.

By Aghakazim Guliyev