Russian MFA: US cynically interferes in Georgia’s affairs

Spokesperson for the Russian Foreign Ministry Maria Zakharova has said that the attitude of the US authorities towards Georgia is cynical.

“The attitude of the US authorities towards Georgia in connection with the adoption of the law on “foreign agents” is a fact of cynical and unceremonious interference in the affairs of sovereign countries,” Zakharova said at a briefing, Caliber.Az reports citing the Russian media.

The US authorities have announced a visa restriction policy against individuals who are responsible “for or involvement in undermining democracy in Georgia, as well as their family members” in response to the Law on Transparency of Foreign Influence passed in Georgia. Moreover, the US announced a comprehensive review of bilateral cooperation with Georgia.

“We are observing cynical and unceremonious US interference in the affairs of sovereign countries. Washington did not like the Georgian law “On Transparency of Foreign Influence”. What will happen next? Will the US dislike other laws? This is a ‘test’,” Zakharova said.

She noted that if Georgia and its people succumb to this “blackmail”, they will demonstrate that anything can be done with them.

“This is a fact. Ukraine can be cited as an example. As soon as this country showed that any law regulating the internal life of Ukraine, the Ukrainian people and society can be developed, implemented in the form of a legislative act and executed thanks to the US money, the West realised that anything can be done with this country,” she said.

“Now there is no Ukrainian statehood, no sovereignty, no independence of Ukraine,” Zakharova noted.

“Everything has been destroyed by the West, led by the US,” she added.

She noted that as Tbilisi does not succumb to Washington’s pressure and influence, Georgia was immediately accused of “undermining democracy”. The statement was immediately made that it is necessary to punish Georgia.

“The US and its allies threaten the Georgian authorities with personal sanctions, blocking the country’s Euro-Atlantic prospects, depriving it of its candidate status for the EU and suspending the visa-free regime for Georgian citizens,” Zakharova said.

At the same time, the law on “foreign agents” is valid in other countries, including those in the West.

“There is such a law in the US. Everyone copies it. This is the Foreign Agents Registration Act [FARA] as of 1938. The same law is valid in 60 countries, including the EU member-states. The EU itself is now developing the same law. Paris, which is ‘the flagship of Western liberal democracy’ is also preparing such a law,” Zakharova said.

“On the other hand, we see that the West offers ‘handouts’ in case of changing the position. This is a derogatory, humiliating attitude, disrespect for the honour and dignity of the Georgian people,” Zakharova said.

“Do they want to bribe? Westerners do not understand who they are dealing with,” she noted.

“Each country should make a decision depending on its history, plans for the future, culture, philosophy, some have ideology, others have domestic and foreign policy,” Zakharova said.

“This is a sovereign country that is ready to delegate, give away, maybe even trade its independence and freedom,” she noted.