A Tragedy of the Century Is Unfolding Before Our Eyes: Saakashvili on Upper Lars

The former President of Georgia, Mikheil Saakashvili, has made a sensational statement, labeling the situation at Upper Lars—the only land crossing between the Russian Federation and Georgia—as a "disastrous threat to statehood." The incarcerated politician expressed his outrage not only at the fact of Russian citizens' entry but also at the reactions from both the authorities and the opposition.

"A tragedy of the century is unfolding before our eyes—the massive resettlement of Russians in Georgia. We haven't seen a disaster of this scale since the time of Shah Abbas, who expelled the Kartvelians and Khevsuretians, replacing them with other populations to cleanse Georgia of Georgians," he wrote.

Saakashvili asserts that Bidzina Ivanishvili, the founder and honorary president of the ruling "Georgian Dream" party, and the Kremlin are acting in a coordinated manner. Initially, the authorities began to "hysterically insist on the unacceptability of anti-Russian sentiments," after which the influx of Russians started, who, in his opinion, plan to stay in the country permanently.

He labeled the Russian side's clarifications regarding border queues being related to holidays as a "mocking lie," confident that a new wave of migration has begun, and that "Russians will become the second largest group in the country after Georgians, surpassing Azerbaijanis."

The jailed former head of state also criticized the opposition, stating that political adversaries are following false narratives while ignoring key issues. "How pathetic the entire political spectrum looks with its toothless comments, as long as the main news on opposition TV channels remains another howl from Gharibashvili from prison, as if nothing is happening," he remarked.

However, following his sharp post, Saakashvili provided clarification that somewhat balanced his statements. According to him, Georgia should adopt the position of the Baltic states—allowing Russian tourists to enter while compensating for this influx with visitors from Western countries, but categorically prohibiting the provision of permanent residency rights and privileged citizenship. The only exception, according to Saakashvili, should be made for "true fighters for freedom who are fleeing persecution."

"Such Russians should be welcomed wholeheartedly, but they make up less than 0.1% of all arrivals," the former president wrote.