British Foreign Minister announces suspension of all aid programs to Georgia

British Foreign Secretary David Lammy has said that the country will reduce its support and engagement with the Georgian government. The British Foreign Office released a statement to this effect on December 9.

"The shocking scenes of violence against protesters and journalists by the Georgian authorities are unacceptable and must stop," Lammy's words are quoted on the official website of the ministry.

He added that such actions "cast a shadow over Georgia's international standing" and go against the country's constitutional commitment to a European future.

"In light of current events, the UK will immediately suspend all support for Georgian government programs, limit defense cooperation and engagement with representatives of the Georgian Dream government until this departure from European democratic norms and freedoms is halted," Lammy concluded, adding that the UK will continue to support the Georgian population.

Street against the dream: what is happening on the Georgian Maidan

Opposition revolts for almost a week, authorities refuse re-elections

Protests are underway in Georgia over the suspension of European integration talks and the opposition's disagreement with the results of parliamentary elections. Protesters tried to set fire to the Georgian parliament building and damaged dozens of offices, and law enforcement agencies had to use tear gas.

Against this background, the US State Department suspended its partnership with the Georgian side and announced its readiness to impose new sanctions. The French Foreign Ministry accused the Georgian authorities of "repression", Latvia banned entry of 13 citizens of the country, and Ukraine imposed sanctions against 19 Georgian politicians.

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze said that European politicians threatened the country with a Maidan, but another attempt to organize a revolution failed. He also noted that the issue of joining the European Union (EU) was being used to blackmail Tbilisi.

Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin said that the policy of the Georgian leadership, which aims to protect the country's national interests, causes "heartburn" in the US and European countries. The diplomat added that Western attacks on Tbilisi are very likely to continue.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov called the events in Georgia its internal affair. In his assessment, the protests in the country are an attempt to sway the situation.