Tbilisi Mayor and General Secretary of the ruling Georgian Dream party, Kakha Kaladze, this week again accused foreign powers and organizations of attempting to interfere in Georgia’s internal affairs, using pressure, misinformation, and political manipulation to destabilize the country and undermine its sovereignty.
Responding to speculation about a potential suspension of visa-free travel with the EU, Kaladze dismissed claims of foreign concern for Georgia as insincere. “Claims that they are supposedly crazy about Georgia and care about the Georgian people are a big lie—don’t believe it, friends. This is an attempt to punish the Georgian people,” he said.
He questioned the rationale behind linking domestic legislation to visa liberalization, stating there has been no clear explanation or justification from Georgia’s Western partners. “It is completely incomprehensible how the two mentioned laws are related to visa liberalization,” he said. “This is simply an attempt to punish the Georgian people.”
According to Kaladze, the true motivations behind these actions lie in geopolitics. “If they were truly our friends, they would not call on the country to join sanctions [against Russia], pass resolutions, or pressure our leaders to open a second front,” he said, referencing past Western demands he views as contrary to Georgia’s interests.
“They have their own interests, and that’s understandable. It’s politics, they are big countries with their own interests, but don’t we have brains and common sense?! We must not allow anyone to use our small country for the interests of some big country,” he added.
Citing the devastation caused by the war in Ukraine, Kaladze warned of similar dangers for Georgia if it becomes entangled in global power struggles. He reaffirmed the government’s current course, emphasizing that it must remain unchanged in the face of external pressure. “Look at what’s happening in Ukraine—a complete catastrophe, a total tragedy,” he said.
Kaladze also addressed recent reports claiming that activists are being trained abroad to interfere in Georgia’s upcoming elections, calling such efforts part of a broader campaign to provoke unrest. “We can cite many examples of attempts to organize revolutions in recent years, so it’s no surprise that some are being trained and prepared. Every such attempt, saturated with radicalism and hatred, will be defeated.”
He claimed that certain actors from what he described as the “global war party” and the “deep state” are actively seeking to overthrow the Georgian government because it has refused to serve foreign interests.
“These countries, specific organizations, and individuals… cannot and will not rest. They want to create chaos in the country and stage a coup.”
According to Kaladze, the government has faced sustained attacks because it prioritized the interests of the Georgian people. “They are fighting the Georgian government today because we protected our country’s interests and the interests of the people living here. This is very difficult for them and suits them the least.”
He assured the public that Georgian state institutions remain alert and prepared to counter any subversive activities. “Our relevant agencies are always up to the task,” he said.
Kaladze concluded with a warning about the risks of being drawn into external conflicts and emphasized the importance of preserving national stability. “The danger of being drawn into war exists as long as the Russia-Ukraine war continues, so we must be very cautious to ensure our country is not used for their interests.” He added, “There is no alternative to peace,” and noted, “I won’t comment on Europe, but the US is genuinely trying to achieve peace.”
By Team GT
