Top lawmaker says joining Russia sanctions could drag Georgia into conflict

Ambassadors of Germany, France and the United Kingdom have not asked Georgia to open a “second front,” but have called on the country to join sanctions against Russia, Georgian Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili said, according to Georgian media cited by Caliber.Az.

According to Papuashvili, imposing sanctions would in itself constitute an escalation of tensions with Russia and could draw Georgia into war.

“Escalation means war, in which we would be left alone. To provoke a war, sometimes harsh words are enough — stones do not have to be thrown. We have repeatedly seen where following others’ advice can lead. Sacrificing others for one’s own interests is wrong and unjust,” Papuashvili wrote.

On February 6, the European Commission proposed its 20th package of sanctions against Russia since the start of Moscow’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, significantly expanding measures against the energy, financial and trade sectors, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced.

In a statement, von der Leyen said the new sanctions aim to further weaken Russia’s ability to finance its war, calling economic pressure “the only language Russia understands."

A central element of the package is a full ban on maritime services for Russian crude oil. The measure, which would be coordinated with G7 partners, is intended to further reduce Russia’s energy revenues and limit its access to global shipping markets.

The Commission also proposed adding 43 vessels to the EU’s sanctions list for involvement in Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet,” bringing the total number of listed ships to 640.

By Khagan Isayev