Georgian PM accuses certain politicians, cultural figures of “double standards” over Russophobia

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Tuesday criticised Georgian composer and conductor Nikoloz Rachveli for what he described as double standards, saying that “one cannot be Russophobic in 2009-2010 and become Russophobic after 2022”, adding that there was no explanation for such a change.

“I don’t want to say anything; he is a representative of the cultural sphere. However, this is a feeble attempt to somehow justify your double standard. You cannot be Russophobic in 2009-2010 and then become Russophobic after 2022. There is no explanation for this. It is simply a statement of facts to which there is no answer. And because they have no answer, both so-called politicians and representatives of the cultural sphere resort to rude and insulting statements”, the PM said.

“They are concerned that their double standards are absolutely clear and that they cannot explain or justify them in any way. Therefore, they resort to making rude statements, which is a tragic development”, he concluded.