Zelenskyy paises US sanctions on Ivanishvili, calls for global action to protect democracy in Georgia

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has expressed gratitude to the United States for imposing sanctions on Bidzina Ivanishvili, the founder of Georgia’s ruling Georgian Dream party and the country’s de facto ruler. In a statement, Zelenskyy accused Ivanishvili of working to bring Georgia under the control of Russian President Vladimir Putin, warning of the broader regional consequences.

“Ivanishvili is the de facto ruler in Tbilisi today and is doing everything to hand Georgia over to Putin’s control. The loss of any country in our region, the destruction of democracy for one nation, and the spread of criminal Russian influence pose a threat to the entire region and all its peoples,” Zelenskyy stated.

The Ukrainian president highlighted that Ukraine has already implemented a full set of sanctions against Ivanishvili and key figures in what he referred to as his “mafia group.” He welcomed the US’s strong measures and called on European and global partners to follow suit.

“We call on all European partners and all global partners who value normal life and the freedom of nations to impose similar sanctions against Ivanishvili, so he understands the price of destroying his country’s independence and humiliating the Georgian people,” Zelenskyy urged.

Zelenskyy expressed solidarity with the Georgian people, emphasizing that no “mafia” could take away their dream of joining the European community and living freely.