Tbilisi says Georgian economy to collapse if it sanctions Russia

Georgia's economy will collapse in case of imposition of economic sanctions against Russia.

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili made the statement at an economic forum in Qatar, reports Georgia-Online.

According to the prime minister, sanctions against Russia will damage the national interests of Georgia.

"In 2008 we had a war. Can you remember anyone who imposed sanctions during our war? Nobody! No one in the world had the right or adequate response in case of that war. So, my question is where is the logic? Our war is not a war, but the war in Ukraine is a war?" said the Georgian prime minister.

He recalled that after the devastating war of 2008, 20 per cent of Georgia's territories were occupied by Russia.

"Russia has established two military bases on our historical land, recognising the so-called independence of our historical regions and this occupation continues. For information, the European Union paid Russia $2.3 trillion until 2022. No one has stopped doing business with Russia, nothing has happened," Garibashvili stated.

He stressed that Tbilisi supports Kyiv.

"We support the Ukrainian people, we want this war to end as soon as possible," Garibashvili added.