Bidzina Ivanishvili: Sanctions backfired, will never work

In an exclusive interview with Imedi TV, Bidzina Ivanishvili, honorary chairman of the ruling Georgian Dream party, expressed his belief that sanctions and punitive measures have backfired and are ineffective.

Ivanishvili remarked that recent statements, particularly those coordinated by what he referred to as the “global war party,” which he associates with the current opposition’s backers, often come across as coercive.

“I believe that blackmail hasn’t worked—quite the opposite. From what I’ve observed during my travels through the regions, there is growing mobilization, and the public is more aware than ever,” Ivanishvili stated.

He noted that such statements, when seen as inappropriate and biased, only serve to frustrate the public. Ivanishvili emphasized that punitive actions and sanctions have similarly failed.

“The public gets more irritated by statements that are not only incorrect but also frequently lack objectivity. This approach simply doesn’t work,” Ivanishvili said.

Regarding the broader consequences of sanctions, Ivanishvili stated, “Sanctions have produced the opposite result. They have failed and will continue to fail. I don’t expect any further significant actions. I believe that those behind these sanctions have exhausted their options.”

Ivanishvili concluded by saying that the backlash stems from the fact that these measures were based on misinformation and unjust pressure, which ultimately mobilized the public in response.