Georgian PM calls country's refusal to open 'second front' cause of difficulties

Georgia's refusal to open a "second front" against Russia in 2022 has caused numerous difficulties in the country. This statement was made by Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on December 29.

"There are forces that we call the global war party, and in America they are called patrons of the Deep State ("Deep State". - Ed.). These people actively demanded the opening of a "second front" in Georgia. As there is a Deep State in America, we also have a small Deep State in Georgia, this Deep State is called a collective 'National Movement',"Sputnik Georgiaquoted him as saying.

Kobakhidze emphasized that the reset of the state's relations with the US will first of all depend on the outcome of the conflict in Ukraine, after which no one will demand Georgia to open a "second front." The prime minister named the parliamentary elections in Georgia, which have already taken place, and the inauguration of US President-elect Donald Trump as other conditions.

"The inauguration will take place on January 20, and in three weeks there will be a new reality," he concluded.

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Georgia's relations with the West escalated after the ruling party on Nov. 28 postponed consideration of joining the European Union until the end of 2028. For the same period Georgia refused "any EU budget grants". Following this decision, protests were held in various cities.

Against this background, the U.S. State Department suspended partnership with the Georgian side and announced readiness to impose new sanctions, and later the U.S. Treasury added former Georgian Prime Minister and founder of the Georgian Dream party Bidzina Ivanishvili to the anti-Russian sanctions list. The French Foreign Ministry accused the Georgian authorities of "repressions", Latvia banned entry of 13 citizens of the country, and Ukraine imposed sanctions against 19 Georgian politicians.

Before that, on May 14, the Georgian parliament adopted the law on foreign agents in the third and final reading. The situation around the law provoked a wave of protests, as well as the reaction of the West. The European Commission and the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Josep Borrell said in a joint statement that the adoption of the law on foreign agents by the Georgian authorities would have a negative impact on the country's integration into the European Union.