Gov’t has “principled position” on not allowing use of Georgia for circumventing sanctions against Russia

The Georgian Government has a “principled position” on not allowing “any legal entity or individual” to use the territory of Georgia to circumvent international sanctions imposed against Russia for its invasion of Ukraine, Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili said on Wednesday.

The PM said his team had “very close cooperation [and] coordination” with its international partners, in response to recent speculation in the country about sanctioned goods being in transit through its territory.

Any type of goods, both military and dual-use, as well as all products included in the international sanctions imposed by the United States, United Kingdom, European Union and individual countries on Russia and Belarus over the military aggression in Ukraine are subject to “strict customs control” in Georgia, the country’s Revenue Service said on April 22.

The Georgian Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili said on April 18 Georgia would “not be a country” where Russia would be able to bypass international sanctions, following his visit to Ukraine and meeting with the Ukrainian Verkhovna Rada Chair Ruslan Stefanchuk.

Papuashvili acknowledged it was “important” for Ukraine that Georgia is not used “in any way” to circumvent the sanctions on Russia, and added his Government’s stance on supporting the country under the invasion was “clear, unambiguous and understandable among [Ukraine's Government].”