Zurabishvili vows to "wrest Georgia from Russia's claws"

Former Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili said that Tbilisi has many partners in the European Union (EU) and the United States, which will help the republic to "break out of Russia's claws". This was reported by Batumelebi newspaper on January 11.

Zurabishvili said at a speech in the town of Zugdidi that she will go to the inauguration of US President-elect Donald Trump, which will take place on January 20.

"I will come to Washington for the inauguration on behalf of you and Zugdidi. We have a very noble friend there today, who has a heart ache for Georgia and is doing everything to protect the country from curses coming from our northern foe," the former president said.

In addition, Zurabishvili noted that Georgia has not had so many allies in Europe and the United States for a long time.

She also urged not to stop the protests. The former president specified that without the rallies, Georgia's allies would not feel obliged to help.

Not to lose chapters: political situation in Georgia stabilizes after inauguration

What to expect from Mikhail Kavelashvili and what will happen to Salome Zurabishvili

Earlier, on January 9, Denis Denisov, an expert at the Financial University under the Government of the Russian Federation, told Izvestia that the work of the so-called office of former Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili, who refused to accept the results of the presidential election, would be limited to meetings with her Western partners and social networking.

Zurabishvili said during a briefing that day that she will work in the new office and will continue to perform "presidential functions" in it. She noted that the country is going through a deep crisis and repeated parliamentary elections should be held to get out of it.

The Georgian presidential election was held on December 14, with the Georgian Dream party candidate Mikhail Kavelashvili winning. Afterwards, Zurabishvili refused to leave her post and threatened to "overthrow the regime" if no compromise was reached on the issue of parliamentary elections, the results of which she also does not recognize.

The inauguration ceremony of Mikhail Kavelashvili as the new president of Georgia took place on December 29, 2024. Zurabishvili, who did not recognize the election results, left the presidential residence and told supporters that she intended to take part in a protest on New Year's Day and visit a number of countries. Her security was removed the next day.