Media: EU’s top diplomat pushes for EU sanctions on pro-Russian Georgian party

EU’s newly appointed High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas will use her first gathering of EU foreign ministers on December 16 to push for sanctions against members of Georgia’s pro-Russian ruling party.

The move comes amid increasing political unrest in Georgia, where the appointment of former footballer and far-right figure Mikheil Kavelashvili as president has sparked protests, Caliber.Az reports via Politico.

Pro-European Georgians have rallied for the 18th consecutive day since Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze suspended EU accession talks. 

Kallas has taken a firm stance, warning the Georgian Dream government that its crackdown on peaceful protestors would have “direct consequences” on Georgia’s relationship with the EU.

Kallas has also shifted the EU's rhetoric on Ukraine, departing from the vague "as long as it takes" mantra of support and instead calling for a clear victory. Her assertive approach extends to Russian assets, where she has signalled her willingness to seize frozen Russian assets to aid Ukraine in its war effort.

These moves have drawn attention to Kallas, whose leadership style, characterized by blunt speaking and a proactive approach, stands in contrast to her predecessor, Spanish Socialist Josep Borrell. However, Kallas now faces the challenge of uniting the 27 EU foreign ministers, whose governments are often at odds, to take meaningful diplomatic action when they convene in Brussels.

While the United States and Baltic states have already imposed sanctions on the Georgian Dream party, the EU remains divided on the issue. Germany, alongside Poland and France, is pushing for a "coalition of the willing" to impose targeted sanctions, including travel bans on individual members of the ruling party. However, Hungary and other EU states, such as Slovakia, are opposing such measures, complicating the push for a unified response.

One possible compromise could be a targeted visa measure, which would require approval from the European Commission and a qualified majority of EU member states. However, diplomats have expressed doubts that this will be achieved at today’s meeting.

In an effort to revitalize the Foreign Affairs Council (FAC), Kallas is inviting foreign ministers to join an informal breakfast before the formal meeting. This initiative aims to encourage more practical decision-making, with Kallas keen to transform the forum into one that delivers tangible outcomes rather than merely issuing statements.

Despite Kallas’s determined approach, the challenge of rallying 27 diverse EU capitals into a single position remains daunting. The task of aligning EU foreign policy on complex issues like sanctions against Georgia’s ruling party will test her leadership in the months to come.

By Aghakazim Guliyev