Ruling party official claims Gov’t “punished for refusing to open second front” of Ukraine war, sanction Russia following EU suspension of visa-free travel for diplomatic passport holders

Kakha Kaladze, the Mayor of Tbilisi and Secretary General of the ruling Georgian Dream party, on Tuesday claimed the decision of the European Union Foreign Affairs Council on suspending visa-free travel for holders of Georgian diplomatic passports was an “unfair attitude” and a “kind of punishment” for the Georgian Government’s “refusal to open a second front” in the country amid the ongoing war in Ukraine and to impose sanctions on Russia.

In his remarks, Kaladze noted “we want the kind of Europe that every Georgian dreams of, where there is justice”.

This fact is unbelievable. Why should they restrict people with diplomatic passports from travelling without or with a visa? They themselves are not yet formed [on this issue]. They have submitted a document on which they should start working, and how this work will end, no one knows. Why should they sanction us for not giving them the opportunity to open a second front in the country and not joining the [Russia] sanctions?”, the ruling party official said.

“We defended the interests of our people and national interests. If we have to be punished for this, then yes. This is an unfair attitude and unfair process. We want the kind of Europe that every Georgian dreams of, where there is justice. I am sure and believe that this attitude will change soon”, he continued.

Kaladze further claimed domestic opposition forces had “used all their resources” following their defeat in the parliamentary elections held on October 26, but the “Maidan scenario” in the country had “failed”.

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Tuesday assessed the decision of the Foreign Affairs Council as an “unequivocally anti-Georgian step”.

In his remarks over the Council meeting, which reviewed the Georgian Government's suspension of negotiations for the opening of European Union accession talks and its response to ongoing public protests against the move, Kobakhidze said such decisions were “undermining the credibility of European bodies in the eyes of the Georgian public”.