Irakli Kobakhidze addresses Russia relations and domestic political pressure

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze has addressed the historical and current geopolitical tensions involving Russia and Georgia. Regarding the 2008 war, Kobakhidze refused to label Russia as Georgia’s “enemy,” though he identified the Russian Federation as the only state that has occupied Georgian territories. He maintained that the previous administration, led by Mikheil Saakashvili and the United National Movement, was responsible for the escalation of the 2008 conflict, citing a Council of Europe resolution regarding the shelling of Tskhinvali.

Kobakhidze also addressed domestic political tensions, claiming that radical anti-Russian sentiment is being artificially fueled by a “deep state” to destabilize the country. He argued that Western leaders and “informal oligarchic forces” have attempted to pressure the Georgian government through sanctions and by using EU membership prospects as leverage. The Prime Minister stated that these efforts are part of a campaign to draw Georgia into a “second front” and undermine its sovereignty.