Georgian PM accuses EU of ‘blackmail’, warns against ‘global war party’ influence

Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze has accused the European Union of exerting “intensified political pressure on Georgia, claiming that what he described as a “Global War Party” was working in coordination with European institutions to undermine the Georgian government.

Speaking at a press briefing held at the ruling Georgian Dream party’s Gorgasali headquarters on Friday, Kobakhidze issued a statement on behalf of the party's Political Council. He alleged that the goal of the pressure campaign was to destabilize the country and remove the current government.

“Unfortunately, it must be said directly that today the exact same and even stronger pressure from the European bureaucracy continues,” said Kobakhidze. “It is no longer a secret that the Global War Party is in full coordination with the European bureaucracy and is carrying out intensified blackmail against our country.”

The prime minister argued that the intention behind the EU’s criticism and recent political developments was to “turn society against the government” and to “replace it with a group that would be more compliant with foreign interests.”

He accused the opposition of acting in line with external agendas, claiming they would be willing to “involve the country in war” if returned to power.

“Unlike us, the radical opposition is ready to fulfill any task from the outside, including the main one – involving the country in war,” Kobakhidze said. “All the provocative steps being taken by the European bureaucracy, led by the Global War Party, serve to change the government and empower the opposition.”

Kobakhidze reiterated his long-standing assertion that Georgia was under threat of being dragged into the ongoing conflict in Ukraine through the opening of a so-called “second front” against Russia. He suggested that the situation remained as dangerous as it was at the outset of the war.

“The Global War Party is doing everything to hang the Ukrainian issue on Europe’s shoulders and to weaken both Europe and Russia simultaneously,” he stated.

The Georgian Dream leader criticized European governments’ military support for Ukraine, including increased defense spending, the supply of long-range weaponry, and sanctions against Russia. He said such policies were pushing the continent toward greater instability.

“Decisions by EU member states to allocate 5% of GDP to armaments - amounting to over 15% of their budgets - risk turning Europe into a militarized zone,” Kobakhidze warned. “This not only heightens the risk of wider military confrontation but also threatens to worsen Europe’s economic and social conditions.”

The prime minister concluded by calling for “caution and unity” within Georgian society, urging citizens not to “succumb to blackmail and provocations.”