Tbilisi Mayor on metro banners warning against war: Govt “won’t allow hostilities”

Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze on Monday said the Government would not let the country get involved in conflict on the backdrop of Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine, in comments on banners that have appeared in metro stations of the capital warning citizens “It is Russia, not the West that wishes a war”.

Responding to the campaign run by the Information Integrity Coalition, Kaladze said he was unaware of the goals of posting the banners.  

I do not  know what the campaign is and what it serves. It will be difficult for me to be specific about this question. Perhaps, you should ask the people behind this campaign and they will tell you more”, Kaladze said. 

The banners appeared in Tbilisi metro stations last week. Photo: Netgazeti. 

In remarks to the influx of Russian visitors after the beginning of hostilities in Ukraine in February of this year, Kaladze stressed that he welcomed all tourists in the country as this would benefit the state economy. 

We welcome the influx of tourists, they can be Russians, Ukrainians, Belarusians, from different countries. It is no problem”, Kaladze said. 

The Information Integrity Coalition suggested that reminding the public of Russia’s aggressive actions “is more important now than ever”.