Former British diplomat Ian Proud criticises UK sanctions on Georgian broadcasters

Former British diplomat and global crisis management expert Ian Proud on Monday said reasons for the United Kingdom’s decision to sanction Imedi TV were incomprehensible.

In his interview with Imedi TV, Proud noted that there are efforts in Europe and the United Kingdom to draw Georgia into the war against Russia by encouraging it to open a second front.

“Unfortunately, the British authorities have decided to impose sanctions on Imedi TV. To be honest, this decision was made for reasons that are unclear to me. I do not agree with it. I believe in freedom of speech. I love your channel and my colleagues, and I love Georgia”, Proud said.

“People in Europe and in Britain are trying to drag Georgia into the war, they want Georgia to open a second front against Russia. This would be a terrible step for Georgia. Everyone clearly remembers the devastating war of 2008. Western political leaders, including in Britain, are putting pressure on Georgia to impose sanctions on Russia and open a second front. They claim that Imedi TV works for the Kremlin, which is complete nonsense. Britain is prepared to sanction anyone in order to prolong the war in Ukraine and involve Georgia in it. This must be avoided at all costs”, he continued.

When asked about the potential impact of the sanctions on relations between Georgia and the United Kingdom, Proud noted that the measures would have negative consequences.

“These sanctions will certainly have a negative impact. However, they will have little effect on the Georgian government or on the operations of Imedi TV. Imedi works excellently and has strong programming. The Georgian government is pursuing a multi-vector foreign policy, developing economic, social, and cultural ties worldwide. That is the right policy”, he added.

Proud added that amid what he described as political maneuvering by Brussels bureaucracy, the deterioration of relations between Britain and Georgia is disappointing for him as a British citizen, but he does not believe it will alter Georgia’s political direction, which aims to maintain positive relations with all states.