KYIV – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on Thursday that he had imposed sanctions on former Georgian Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili and several members of the Georgian government, escalating tensions between the two countries. Zelensky’s move comes amid rising discontent in Georgia over the government’s increasingly pro-Russian policies and a shift away from European integration.
The sanctions target 19 individuals, including the head of Georgia’s state security service and the interior minister. Zelensky accused the Georgian government of aligning itself with Russian President Vladimir Putin, labeling it as a betrayal of Georgia’s sovereignty. “These are sanctions against the part of the government in Georgia that is handing Georgia over to Putin,” Zelensky said. Ukraine, which has been engaged in a full-scale war with Russia since February 2022, views Georgia’s actions as a threat to regional stability.
Ivanishvili, the billionaire founder of the ruling Georgian Dream party, is seen as the most powerful figure in Georgian politics and has been criticized for steering the country towards Russia. Tensions in Georgia have escalated recently, particularly after the Georgian government suspended negotiations regarding the country’s potential membership in the European Union. Protests erupted across the country, with demonstrators clashing with police, accusing the government of moving away from Western ideals.
In response to the sanctions, Zelensky condemned those affected for “selling the interests of Georgia and its people.” He also urged Ukraine’s European allies and the United States to take a firmer stance against what he described as Georgia’s pro-Russian direction. “If you do not respond in time or fail to respond with principle, then decades are lost, and countries are robbed of their freedom,” Zelensky added, stressing the importance of timely and principled action in international relations.
The sanctions, which are set to last for 10 years, include measures to freeze financial assets, restrict entry into Ukraine, and block property rights within the country. As of now, there has been no official response from the Georgian government or the individuals affected by the sanctions.
This move reflects Ukraine’s broader strategy to isolate Russian allies and increase pressure on governments that show any signs of backing Russia’s influence in the region, particularly in the wake of the ongoing war in Ukraine.