Artificially Igniting Anti-Russian Sentiment in Georgia: Kobakhidze

Georgia's Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze has stated that radical anti-Russian sentiments in the country are artificial and are allegedly being incited by a "Deep State." During a press briefing in the government's administration, Kobakhidze asserted that the "Deep State" is attempting to artificially incite anti-Russian sentiment in Georgia through its own "agents."

According to him, following the outbreak of war in Ukraine in 2022, what he described as the "Global War Party" sought to engage Georgia in the conflict and open a "second front" in the country. Kobakhidze noted that this followed demands to join the sanctions imposed against Russia, which he believes could lead to the collapse of Georgia's economy.

The Prime Minister claimed that due to Tbilisi's rejection of these demands and its pursuit of an independent policy, Georgia is now under pressure from European bureaucracy and certain Western leaders. He also stated that various mechanisms have been employed to exert pressure on Georgia, including sanctions against senior officials, the honorary president of the ruling party Bidzina Ivanishvili, judges, and police officials.

Kobakhidze indicated that a "qualitatively new phase" of pressure against Georgia has now begun, aimed at actions against the country's sovereignty.