PM: Georgia rejects sanctions as tool of blackmail

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze has said that Georgia will not take steps that could lead to the country's destruction, including the imposition of sanctions.

Kobakhidze emphasized that aligning more closely with the EU's foreign policy and security policies, including the imposition of sanctions, is one of the conditions Georgia must meet to start negotiations with the EU, Caliber.Az reports, citing Georgian media.

“Sanctions were used as a tool of blackmail against the country. The goal was clear — to drag the country into a war. However, we will never take steps that could lead to the destruction of our country. Therefore, this blackmail will have no effect,” said Kobakhidze.

The Georgian government has rejected the idea of imposing its own sanctions on Russia, stating that it would only harm Georgia itself. However, Georgia continues to comply with international sanctions.

The issue of circumventing international sanctions has been raised by opponents of the government, but during their visit to Georgia in June 2023, EU, US, and UK coordinators for sanctions praised the efforts made by Georgian authorities and dismissed the possibility of any circumvention.

By Naila Huseynova