Georgian ruling party MP defends ‘cautious’ Ukraine policy amid alleged external pressure

Levan Machavariani, first deputy chairman of the parliamentary faction of Georgian Dream, defended the government’s ‘cautious’ approach to the Russia-Ukraine war during an interview on the program Post Analitika.

Machavariani said Georgia faced accusations of inaction and sabotage in the early stages of the conflict, which he attributed to “radical” political groups and NGO campaigns seeking to provoke hostile attitudes toward the country. 

He stressed that the government’s decision not to send volunteers to fight in Ukraine, even with official approval, was aimed at avoiding direct involvement in the war.

He recalled that the government had carefully measured every step to prevent any increase in security risks in Georgia. 

“We weigh every move a hundred times to ensure nothing we do even slightly increases the likelihood of danger in Georgia,” he said. “We have endured all forms of pressure, bullying and blackmail - the last four years are a clear example. Nobody can force us to take a step backward.”

Machavariani also highlighted sanctions imposed on the party’s founder and honorary chairman, Bidzina Ivanishvili, in the early weeks of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, noting that the party resisted the pressure while maintaining national stability.

Commenting on calls from some Ukrainian leaders to provide weapons, Machavariani questioned why Georgia should comply when half of the West was already supplying Ukraine.

“We are not perfect; we have many shortcomings, but we take every decision to safeguard our country’s stability and peace,” he said.

He added that opposition rhetoric and statements about Georgia’s involvement in Middle Eastern conflicts amounted to hostile acts, increasing the risk to the country. 

Machavariani stressed that the ruling party’s policy remained ‘pragmatic, national, careful, and flexible,’ designed to avoid any direct engagement in military operations.

Reflecting on Georgia’s past experiences, he referenced the 2008 conflict with Russia, noting that no outside help was forthcoming and highlighting the importance of strong diplomatic relations with regional powers, including Iran.

Machavariani concluded “no matter the pressure or threats, our team will not take a step backward. Under Bidzina Ivanishvili’s leadership, Georgian Dream will always remain the main and sole guarantor of peace and stability in Georgia.”