Giga Lemonjava: as Russia suffers defeats regionally, it will try to step up pressure on Georgia

Giga Lemonjava, a leader of the Coalition for Change, on Monday said that Russia - weakened by setbacks across the wider region, including in Moldova - would likely attempt to intensify pressure on Georgia.

“Russia has been defeated in Armenia, Azerbaijan, across Europe, in Ukraine, and now in Moldova. In parallel with its defeat in Moldova, Russia will of course try to increase pressure on Georgia,” Lemonjava said.

He argued that Russia’s remaining foothold in the wider region is Georgia’s ruling circle, which he described as effectively controlled by billionaire Bidzina Ivanishvili and his “de facto, illegitimate” Government.

“Russia’s last bastion is Bidzina Ivanishvili and his de facto, illegitimate Government. Our task is not only to save ourselves, but to put an end to Russian influence in Georgia and thereby eliminate these long-standing influences across the wider Black Sea region,” Lemonjava added.