The Chairman of the US Helsinki Commission, Republican Congressman Joe Wilson, and UK Member of Parliament James MacCleary have called on the UK government to impose sanctions on Georgian ruling party founder and honorary chair, Bidzina Ivanishvili.
In a joint letter addressed to UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy, the lawmakers urged immediate action against Ivanishvili, whom they accuse of enabling Russian interference in Georgia’s democracy and undermining the country’s sovereignty.
“The United States imposed sanctions on Ivanishvili in December 2024. In the spirit of transatlantic cooperation and respect for democracy, the UK must now follow suit,” the letter states.
MacCleary and Wilson argue that Ivanishvili’s ruling Georgian Dream Party has dismantled democratic institutions, pushing the nation further into Russian influence. They highlight Ivanishvili’s substantial financial assets in the UK and the fact that his propaganda network, Imedi TV, is owned by a UK-registered company.
“This is simply unacceptable,” the lawmakers wrote, calling for the UK to mirror US sanctions and suspend its strategic partnership with Georgia.
The letter warns of Georgia’s democratic backsliding, citing the violent suppression of opposition voices and press freedoms. “An urgent, unified, and international response is imperative,” they emphasized.
