Georgian PM slams “double standards” over Russia ties in region

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze has criticized what he described as “clear double standards” regarding regional diplomatic relations with Russia, saying Georgia remains the only country in the region without any official ties to Moscow.

Speaking on the television program Imedi LIVE, Kobakhidze emphasized that Georgia has not maintained diplomatic relations with Russia since 2008 and that no political visits have taken place between the two countries since 2012.

“We are the only country in the region without diplomatic relations with the Russian Federation. Ukraine is an exception due to the war. We have had no political visits in either direction. Meanwhile, political representatives from Moldova continue to travel to Russia,” Kobakhidze stated.

He cited a recent example of a Moldovan deputy minister who visited St. Petersburg for negotiations with Gazprom. “Not a single critical statement was made about that,” he said.

Kobakhidze also criticized the backlash Georgia received for attending the inauguration of Iran’s new president, arguing that other countries in the region, including Azerbaijan, Armenia, and Turkey, sent high-level representatives but were not subject to the same scrutiny.

“Everyone made a big fuss over our attendance at the inauguration. Some so-called politicians claimed it triggered negative reactions from the US and Europe. But all neighboring countries were represented. Did anyone criticize them? No. This is a clear example of the double standards we’re witnessing,” he added.