Georgian Parliament Vice Speaker slams UNM, says party bears responsibility for “the gravest consequences” of 2008 war

Nino Tsilosani, the Vice Speaker of the Georgian Parliament, on Thursday said the United National Movement was serving an “evil cause”, claiming that the 2008 war, which had “the gravest consequences” for the country, was largely the responsibility of the party.

In her remarks, Tsilosani recalled that over 400 people were killed during the 2008 war and that Georgia’s territories remain occupied, adding that despite this, the UNM’s subsequent actions included welcoming Russian tourists and actively promoting Georgia as a destination for visitors from Russia.

“You could not see even the slightest indication of Russophobia from them, but when the war in Ukraine began and their patrons decided that the main priority should be to intensify anti-Russian sentiment, they readily joined the campaign. The facts show that the National Movement does everything at the behest of its patrons; they have no morality, standards, patriotism, or genuine love for their country”, Tsilosani said.

“When, after the 2008 war, you have no desire to protest against the consequences of that conflict, but then intensify an anti-Russian campaign after the war in Ukraine begins, it becomes clear that patriotism and love for the country are merely a façade for them”, she concluded.