Georgian PM blasts Finnish Foreign Minister for “illegal rally” attendance, “lies”

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Thursday sharply criticised Elina Valtonen, the Finnish Foreign Minister and OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, following her appearance at an “unlawful” protest rally in Tbilisi, accusing her of violating standards, engaging in “rude and incorrect” behaviour, and spreading falsehoods.

The controversy follows the cancellation of a scheduled meeting between the two leaders, which the Georgian Government attributed to Valtonen's participation in the rally and her subsequent statements.

“Whether she invites me to an illegal rally is her decision, but I do not intend to participate in an illegal rally in any country, including Finland”, Kobakhidze said in response to a statement made by the Finnish Minister.

The head of Government emphasised that the public observed the events, noting that the Finnish Foreign Minister, who was visiting Georgia under the OSCE mandate, had violated diplomatic standards.

“She was compelled to lie, when they task you with going to such a rally where there are 50 people with you, of course, you have to lie and say that people are just now gathering”, he continued.

Kobakhidze suggested this behaviour points to a larger issue within the European bureaucracy, claiming that officials are merely “fulfilling tasks” without questioning them.

Kobakhidze confirmed that the decision to cancel the meeting was a direct consequence of Valtonen's actions, which he called the “only alternative response”.

He also pointed to the fine imposed on Valtonen by the Ministry of Internal Affairs for “blocking the road” during the illegal rally, stating, “How can you degrade yourself this way, unless you are a foreign agent receiving assignments? This is unimaginable”.