Janice R. Andrews
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced sanctions against pro-Russian factions within Georgia’s government, accusing them of undermining the country’s independence in favor of Russian President Vladimir Putin. In a video statement, Zelenskyy revealed that sanctions were imposed on Georgian oligarch Bidzina Ivanishvili and 18 of his associates.
“Ukraine cannot afford to lose anyone in this region – not Georgia, not Moldova, not Ukraine,” Zelenskyy remarked, highlighting the broader significance of the situation.
This move follows similar actions by Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, who also imposed sanctions on Georgian officials earlier this week.
The sanctions came after a series of police raids in Georgia, including an assault on the offices of the opposition Coalition for Change party. Its leader, Nika Gvaramia, was detained during the raids, which also targeted other opposition groups and NGOs. The police crackdown has triggered six nights of protests in Tbilisi, where riot police used water cannons and tear gas to disperse demonstrators. Over 300 people have been arrested, and more than 100 have been injured.
The protests were sparked by the ruling Georgian Dream party’s suspension of European Union membership talks. In June, the EU had already halted Georgia’s accession process due to a controversial law requiring organizations that receive over 20% of their funding from abroad to register as foreign agents, a law critics argue mirrors similar Russian legislation.
With Georgia’s presidential election scheduled for December 14, outgoing president Salome Zourabichvili has called the ruling party “illegitimate,” further fueling the political unrest.
Zelenskyy’s sanctions reflect Ukraine’s resolve to counter Russian influence in the region and support pro-democracy efforts in neighboring countries. As protests continue, global attention is focused on the future of Georgia’s European aspirations.
