Georgian PM accuses unnamed “pro-European” nation of exporting to Russia via Abkhazia

Georgian prime minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Wednesday sharply criticised what he described as “shameful double standards”, alleging that a so-called pro-European country is routing exports to Russia through Georgia’s Russian-occupied region of Abkhazia while Georgia faces unfair scrutiny.

In his interview with Imedi TV, the head of government expressed frustration over past accusations directed at Georgia regarding the circumvention of international sanctions.

“We were being lectured about bypassing sanctions, something that never actually happened in reality”, Kobakhidze stated. “Meanwhile, a so-called pro-European country, which sends specific products to Russia through Abkhazia, is declared an extremely pro-European and highly democratic nation”.

While the prime minister refrained from explicitly naming the nation in question, he provided specific details, clarifying that it is not a direct neighbour of Georgia.

“To avoid any speculation, this is a so-called pro-European country, it is not our neighbour, and it is using Abkhazia to export specific goods to Russia”, Kobakhidze explained.

“This country is hailed as extremely pro-European and highly democratic, while Georgia is labeled as anti-European and pro-Russian. In reality, everyone knows everything. These double standards are so shameful that they don’t even warrant a deeply profound analysis”, Kobakhidze concluded.