Georgian Dream has benefited most from Russia-Ukraine war, ex-central bank chief

Former president of the National Bank of Georgia, Giorgi Kadagidze, has said that no one has benefited more from the Russia-Ukraine war than the ruling Georgian Dream party.

Speaking on Friday, Kadagidze argued that instead of continuing reforms and advancing towards Europe, the government chose isolation and turned Georgia into what he described as “a backyard outlet for Russia”.

“No one has benefited from the Russia-Ukraine war as much as the Georgian Dream regime,” he said. “Instead of continuing reforms and moving towards Europe, they chose isolation and became a passage to Russia’s backyard.”

Kadagidze claimed that certain elites were profiting from financial flows linked to the current geopolitical situation, including in the development sector and other areas. He alleged that the groups maintained access to resources generated under the present circumstances.

He also expressed doubt over statements by some MPs who have publicly questioned the country’s European path.

“I doubt that those MPs say they do not want to go to Europe. In any moment of danger, they flee to the West and seek refuge there - everyone knows this,” he said.

Kadagidze added that Western sanctions were weakening ruling party founder Bidzina Ivanishvili and his team.