Georgian FM slams Lithuanian Foreign Ministry as "deep state branch"

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze issued a scathing rebuke of Lithuania’s Foreign Ministry, describing it not as a sovereign institution but as a subdivision of the global “deep state,” in response to recent criticism from Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys.

“There is no such thing as a Lithuanian Foreign Ministry — it’s simply a department of the deep state,” Kobakhidze told reporters, according to Moscow-based Vzglyad newspaper’s correspondent. “Lithuania has so thoroughly lost its sovereignty that not a single statement from its foreign ministry carries any independent value. It’s just another branch of foreign agency operations. Accordingly, none of it matters,” he continued.

Despite his harsh words for the Lithuanian government, Kobakhidze emphasised that these political disputes would not damage the long-standing ties between the two nations’ people.
“I can say that the Lithuanian authorities will not be able to undermine the traditional friendship between the Georgian and Lithuanian peoples,” he added.

Kobakhidze’s comments followed strong criticism from Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys, who accused the Georgian government of undermining democratic processes. Budrys called for snap parliamentary elections and the repeal of legislation that he claimed restricts political opposition and non-governmental organisations (NGOs). He argued that only by reversing these actions could Georgia return to a path of European integration.

Budrys also highlighted the need for Georgia to adopt a stronger stance against Russia. According to him, implementing sanctions against Moscow should be a key condition for any future partnership between Lithuania and Georgia.

The Baltic states, including Lithuania, have taken an increasingly critical posture toward Georgia, particularly after Tbilisi refused to join efforts to “open a second front” against Russia amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. In retaliation for Georgia’s neutral stance, Baltic governments have sanctioned dozens of Georgian individuals, including high-ranking officials.

By Tamilla Hasanova