British Ambassador: Georgia “playing its part” in sanctions against Russia

British Ambassador to Georgia Mark Clayton said Georgia was “playing its part” in the package of international sanctions imposed on Russia for its invasion of Ukraine, in an interview released by Interpressnews agency on Monday.

Clayton said Georgian state agencies were making efforts to ensure the country would not be used by Russia for avoiding the sanctions for its invasion, calling moves by the authorities “rapid”.

Georgia is playing its part in this package, so I've seen press reports and speculation about it, but I would also refer to the Finance Minister's statement. From what I have seen, Georgia's Central Bank is doing everything it can to ensure that Georgia cannot be used as a place where financial sanctions can be avoided. We've seen really rapid action taken”, the Ambassador told IPN.

He also named TBC Bank and Bank of Georgia, highlighting they were “doing everything they can to ensure that the financial sanctions are in place,” and pointed out the closing of the local branch of the Russian-owned VTB Bank in line with the sanctions.

When asked if the British intelligence had information corroborating recent claims by some Ukrainian authorities about the Georgian Government helping Russia to evade sanctions, Clayton answered: "No, I haven't. It's a straightforward answer".

I know that the Ministry of Finance, together with the Ministry of Economy and your customs service are working to ensure that there is no leakage and that's what the Minister of Finance said yesterday", said Clayton, adding that "our hope is that the Georgian Government will continue to do everything it can to ensure that Georgia does not become a place for sanctions avoidance or evasion", he told reporters.

The diplomat also said in the interview with the news agency the UK, along with the G7, European Union, NATO allies and other partners, was trying to impose “maximum cost” on Russia and deprive Putin's military of the sources of funds to prosecute "this illegal war". 

Interpressnews also asked Clayton if the UK intelligence services had any information over potential Russian “provocations” planned in Georgia on the backdrop of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, or plans for re-invading the country.

“I'm not going to get into the details of intelligence information. What I would say is that I think everyone appreciates that Georgia is exposed to Russian pressure. There's no better example than the fact that you have thousands of Russian troops illegally on Georgian territory [in the territories occupied since the 2008 war]. That is not something we accept. It's not something the international community accepts. The UK has been absolutely rock solid and consistent since Georgia re-established its independence. We've been rock solid in our support for Georgia's sovereignty and territorial integrity”, Clayton answered.