Saakashvili claims Georgia preparing to restore diplomatic ties with Russia, warns of "full annexation"

Former Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili has warned that the ruling Georgian Dream party is preparing to restore diplomatic relations with Russia as a precursor to the “complete annexation” of Georgia by Moscow.

In a statement published on social media, Saakashvili said a recent letter from the Georgian government – addressed to President Donald Trump – was in reality directed at the Kremlin. “This letter is written for Moscow, not Trump. The restoration of diplomatic relations [with Russia] is being prepared, followed by Georgia’s full annexation,” Saakashvili alleged.

The ex-president accused the Georgian Dream government of following an anti-American path since coming to power in 2012. “Anyone claiming otherwise is either lying or deceiving themselves,” he added.

He cited several examples of what he called “anti-Western” moves by the government, including shutting down the American Technological University in Georgia, refusing accreditation to former US Ambassador Bridget Brink during Trump’s first term – reportedly calling her a "friend of Saakashvili" – and leaving Georgia without a US ambassador for two years. He also mentioned the government’s decision to cancel agreements reached during his presidency to receive American military helicopters and air defense systems, as well as halting negotiations on a free trade agreement with the United States.

Saakashvili rejected suggestions that the Georgian government was appealing to Trump through party chairman PM Irakli Kobakhidze. “Ivanishvili knows exactly what conditions the Trump administration demanded for normalizing relations – including the release of all political prisoners,” he wrote, referring to Bidzina Ivanishvili, the founder of the ruling party.

Saakashvili concluded by reiterating his main concern: “This letter is a message to Moscow. What’s happening is not outreach to Trump – it’s groundwork for diplomatic restoration and, eventually, Georgia’s full annexation by Russia.”