Georgian President says sanctions have “opposite effect”, recognises Bidzina Ivanishvili’s role in country’s development

In an interview with the French radio station Radio Courtoisie, the Georgian President Mikheil Kavelashvili said that the sanctions imposed on the country were having the opposite effect, as the public recognises Bidzina Ivanishvili, the founder and Honorary Chair of the ruling Georgian Dream party, as a philanthropist and a successor to the national heroes who saved Georgia at crucial moments in history.

When asked - let’s also recall the measures taken by the US Treasury against the assets of the founder of the Georgian Dream, party Bidzina Ivanishvili - Kavelashvili said: “It is better to recall his work as a philanthropist who supports his country in cultural heritage, education, economy, and sports. He has spent more than 1 billion euros. These figures are officially recognised and publicly accessible”.

“In Georgia, these sanctions have the opposite effect because people know that he is a philanthropist and a successor to the heroic figures who saved the country in decisive moments of Georgian history. He inspires the people”, he concluded.