Nino Lomjaria, former public defender and founder of the public platform Georgia’s European Orbit, condemned the Georgian government’s decision to halt its European integration process, describing the move as a “betrayal” and an act of “switching to Russia.”
Lomjaria’s comments came after the Georgian government, led by Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze, announced that the country would cease its pursuit of EU membership until 2028, marking a dramatic shift in Georgia’s foreign policy.
In a statement, Nino Lomjaria accused Georgian government officials, who she described as “Putin’s favorites,” of acting to please Russian President Vladimir Putin.
“What we’ve witnessed today is an act of Georgia’s incredible betrayal,” she said, pointing to the government’s decision to halt its European integration efforts. She also condemned the government’s actions as predictable, citing their initial unlawful takeover of power and now, with Kobakhidze’s announcement, their decision to abandon Georgia’s European aspirations.
Lomjaria declared that the announcement made by Kobakhidze is illegitimate and does not reflect the will of the Georgian people.
“This decision does not represent the mood of the people of Georgia,” she emphasized, calling on the international community to disregard such statements from individuals she described as “illegitimate.”
In response to the government’s actions, Lomjaria called on Georgians to take to the streets in mass protests.
“Everyone must go out and stand in the streets. We are many, and we will not let this decision pass without resistance,” she declared, urging citizens to unite against the government’s pro-Russia stance and its rejection of the European path.
