Georgian PM highlights Gov't's “historic decision” in 2022 not to impose sanctions against Russia that has contributed to maintaining peace in country

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Tuesday claimed there was a direct attempt to drag Georgia into the military conflict amid the war in Ukraine, noting that Georgian Government’s decisions had played a decisive role in ensuring that the country “did not become a second front”.

In his remarks, Kobakhidze emphasised that one of the key aspects was the decision not to impose sanctions on Russia.

He further highlighted the former Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili’s statement made three years ago regarding the refusal to impose sanctions on Russia as a “historic decision” that had contributed to maintaining peace in the country.

“We all remember Irakli Garibashvili’s statement. I would say it was a historic decision, which he publicly announced. At the time, there was a direct attempt to escalate the situation in Georgia and involve the country in the military conflict that began in Ukraine. Our decisions played a decisive role in ensuring that Georgia did not become a second front”, the PM said.

“Among them, a key decision was the refusal to impose sanctions. On the one hand, this would have led to escalation, which was in the interests of our country’s adversaries; on the other hand, it would have resulted in economic collapse. Naturally, we could not take that step. A fundamental decision was made back then, announced by Irakli Garibashvili, and since then, we have managed to maintain our firm position in strengthening peace in Georgia”, Kobakhidze concluded.