PM: Georgia imposing sanctions on Russia would lead to “collapse in all directions”

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili on Thursday said if his Government imposed sanctions on Russia in response to the latter’s invasion of Ukraine, the decision would lead to a “10 percent [economic] reduction in the country” and a “collapse in all directions”.

Garibashvili was responding to the statement made on Wednesday by Latvian President Edgars Rinkēvičs, who called for Georgia to join the EU sanctions against Russia following his meeting with Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili.

This is another incompatibility and contradicts the declared policy of our country. We have said that we will not take any step [...] to the detriment of the national interests of our people”, Garibashvili said.

Garibashvili added Zourabichvili had “done nothing” on the path of European integration of Georgia and credited the ruling Georgian Dream party with progress on the path.