Georgian Parliament Speaker says EU delisting of Russian businessmen reflects interest-based decision-making

Georgian Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili on Thursday commented on the European Union’s decision to remove Russian businessmen Alisher Usmanov and Mikhail Fridman from its sanctions list, saying the Georgian people have long understood that values in international politics are often upheld only when they align with the interests of those invoking them.

In his remarks, Papuashvili said this was precisely why Georgia had refused to follow what he described as an escalation in 2022.

“When something is not in their interest, these values are set aside and replaced by considerations of national and security interests”, he said.

“That is why, back in 2022, we did not follow the escalation. Otherwise, today we would be a war-torn and devastated country, watching as they gradually re-engage with Russia, just as they did after 2008. They even pursued a reset policy - they pressed the reset button, launched economic projects, and Germany began building Nord Stream. Russia was included in everything, as if our war had never happened”, the Speaker continued.

Papuashvili added that Georgia had learned an important lesson from the events of 2008.

“For centuries, we have understood that, ultimately, we are responsible for our own destiny and that no one else acts in our interests. Every country acts in its own interests”, he said.

“Had we acted differently, this would have been our outcome: a devastated country watching relations with Russia warm once again, or seeing exceptions justified on security grounds. Therefore, we must approach the future in the same way. No country acts in Georgia’s interests. The only people who act in Georgia’s interests are the Georgian authorities”, Papuashvili concluded.