Tbilisi Mayor and Secretary General of the Georgian Dream ruling party, Kakha Kaladze, on Tuesday claimed the government was “determined to maintain peace” despite alleged foreign pressures. He revealed that there had been “direct pressures, calls, and public statements” urging Georgia to send volunteers to Ukraine and to get involved in the conflict.

"I don't want to speak openly, but behind closed doors, there were direct pressures, calls, and public statements made that we should organize charters and send volunteers to Ukraine. Do you remember how much pressure there was on that? We were directly invited to get involved in this trouble, which is happening now, unfortunately, in Ukraine," Kaladze told the local media. 

Kaladze emphasized that peace was the only option for Georgia, and the government would do everything necessary to preserve it, “regardless of any pressure”.

"One of the organizers of the rallies [against the foreign influence bill] held in the capital recently mentioned that he envies Ukraine. It is impossible for a sane person to envy what is happening in Ukraine, unfortunately. We will certainly do everything to keep peace. There is no alternative. Today, the most important thing for our country is to keep peace, and the government will do everything to ensure it, no matter the pressure or attacks," said Kaladze.

The GD in March reintroduced the foreign influence bil, which it had to reject last year due to mass protests. The bill, which was passed in its final reading last week and faced a presidential veto, has caused renewed protests in the country.