Georgian Speaker slams ‘Russian interference’ narrative, questions Western influence

Speaker of the Georgian Parliament, Shalva Papuashvili, has questioned the global narrative around so-called “Russian interference,” suggesting it was part of a broader strategy used by a centralized network to discredit political opponents and promote influence through foreign-backed politicians and NGOs.

In a social media post on Tuesday, Papuashvili referenced recent developments in the United States, where he claimed a “century-defining conspiracy” around Russian meddling had been debunked by the country’s new administration. 

Papuashvili argued that the use of the term “Russian” as a political label had become a strategic tool exported to other countries.

“This strategy - branding opponents as ‘Russian’ - is a coordinated tactic formed in one centre, deployed in other nations via bribed politicians and NGOs,” he wrote.

He further claimed that Georgia’s National Intelligence head had provided a “universal test” for identifying such actors - key terms such as “pro-Russian,” “Russian-backed,” and “Russian interference,” which he described as part of the “introductory training for deep state agents.”

Papuashvili also referenced a music video by Georgian singer Zaza Nozadze titled “Liberal Zazas”, implying that cultural figures in Georgia had raised similar concerns long before intelligence agencies had taken notice.

“Where was national intelligence,” he asked, “when the ‘Liberal Zazas’ exposed this conspiracy years ago?”