Gia Volski, First Vice Speaker of the Georgian Parliament and a member of the ruling Georgian Dream party, addressed election-related accusations and Georgia’s geopolitical challenges during an interview with Imedi TV on Wednesday.
Volski dismissed claims of election fraud, labeling them as unfounded. He stated, “The topic of the elections is speculation. It is impossible to falsify the elections or guess which party a voter supported. Suggesting that hundreds of thousands of people could coordinate forgery is nothing but a fairy tale.”
On Georgia’s geopolitical position amidst the ongoing war in Ukraine, Volski stressed the importance of pragmatism despite the emotional impact of the crisis. “The world is pragmatic and must transition to negotiations. Otherwise, the risks we fear will become unavoidable. Georgia, a small country, is trying to survive,” he noted.
Volski also rejected accusations that Georgia is moving closer to Russia’s sphere of influence. He pointed to Russia’s ongoing occupation of 20% of Georgian territory, saying, “Some accuse us of transitioning into Russia’s orbit. This is baseless nonsense. Russia already occupies 20 percent of our territory and has military bases and missile complexes near our borders. What possible interest could we have in aligning with them?”
The Vice Speaker reaffirmed Georgia’s commitment to European integration, stating that the country’s EU path is not about external validation but securing its future. “Our path toward the EU is not about pleasing anyone or seeking approval. It’s about securing our future. Any deviation would cost us dearly. Engaging in reckless ventures would cost us everything. Our focus must remain on pragmatic survival and securing our future within the European Union,” he concluded.
Volski’s remarks underscore the balancing act Georgia faces as it navigates internal and external challenges in a turbulent geopolitical environment.
