Georgian Parliament Speaker accuses West of hypocrisy over Russia sanctions demands

Georgian Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili has sharply criticised calls from Western leaders for Georgia to impose sanctions on Russia, warning that such moves would have endangered the country’s security and stability.

His comments, delivered during a May 8 press briefing, appeared to be a direct rebuke of statements by Latvian President Edgars Rinkēvičs and other European politicians, Caliber.Az reports, referring to Russian media.

“If we had listened to the president of Latvia and other politicians who urged us toward escalation, today Georgia would be a war-torn, devastated country,” Papuashvili said. “Those same foreign politicians would then appear, say beautiful words about how this great nation with its culture had disappeared from the face of the earth, and perhaps dedicate a space in a museum to honour our memory.”

The Speaker questioned whether those advocating confrontation with Russia had fully considered the risks for Georgia. “At the moment when the president of Latvia advised us to impose sanctions, did he think about the consequences that could follow from such irresponsible appeals? No, he did not,” Papuashvili asserted.

He emphasised that only the Georgian people and the government they elected are truly focused on Georgia’s national interests. “No one thinks about the interests of Georgia — except for the people of Georgia and their elected leadership,” he said.

Papuashvili also underscored what he called the hypocrisy of European politicians who urge smaller nations to take bold risks while enjoying the protection of powerful alliances themselves.

“Latvia, which called for the escalation of Georgia’s relations with Russia, is sitting warmly and safely under NATO’s umbrella,” he said.

On February 25, 2022, then-Prime Minister of Georgia Irakli Garibashvili declared that his government would not impose sanctions on Russia, stating that such measures would run counter to Georgia’s national interests.

By Tamilla Hasanova