Former US Ambassador to NATO Kurt Volker has attributed the current political crisis in Georgia to the decisions and actions of Bidzina Ivanishvili, founder and honorary chair of the ruling Georgian Dream party.
Speaking to Voice of America, Volker highlighted parallels between Georgia’s situation and Ukraine’s 2013 Maidan protests, sparked by then-President Viktor Yanukovych’s refusal to sign an EU association agreement.
“This is an astonishing and audacious effort to mislead the Georgian people,” Volker stated. “During the entire election campaign, the Georgian Dream party claimed they were committed to Georgia’s EU integration. This promise was a key reason why they managed to secure votes despite significant fraud allegations. Now, they outright declare they won’t follow through. This is a complete betrayal of the Georgian people.”
Volker also criticized the legitimacy of recent elections and suggested increased international pressure, including sanctions. “I believe the US and EU have a duty to make a clear statement rejecting the validity of these elections,” he added.
According to Volker, Ivanishvili’s influence is central to Georgia’s retreat from the EU path and alleged electoral manipulations. “Everything happening in Georgia today is the result of one man’s decisions—Bidzina Ivanishvili,” he emphasized.
Drawing parallels to Ukraine, Volker recalled how Yanukovych’s rejection of European integration and use of force against demonstrators fueled mass protests. “This situation in Georgia is disturbingly similar,” he concluded.
