Georgian Parliament Speaker compares EU to Soviet Union amid critical statement of 17 countries

Georgian Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili has slammed the European Union, controversially comparing the bloc to the Soviet Union and accusing it of straying from its core values.

Papuashvili’s remarks came in response to a recent joint statement by 17 EU foreign ministers and the EU High Representative, which strongly condemned Georgia’s democratic backsliding, the imprisonment of opposition figures, and the adoption of repressive legislation.

In a statement on Saturday, Papuashvili claimed the EU had deviated from its foundational principles and was now acting with double standards toward Georgia.

“It is important that the European Union halts its path toward becoming the Soviet Union and returns to its core values,” Papuashvili said.
“What we see today is a condescending attitude toward Georgia, as if we’re a second-class country. Apparently, our police officers are only legitimate targets if they’re being pelted with stones or Molotov cocktails. This kind of hypocrisy leads to public disillusionment and falling trust in the EU.”

Papuashvili went further, accusing Brussels and some European capitals of aggressive rhetoric and attempting to bully Georgia into submission.

“Brussels bureaucracy is on a dangerous path — one that mirrors the Soviet Union. The EU must wake up and return to the path of European values: respect for human rights and the rule of law,” he said.