No mafia can steal the dream of the Georgian people: Zelensky on US sanctions against Ivanishvili
Kyiv • UNN
The United States imposed sanctions on Georgia's former Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili over his pro-Russian activities. Zelenskyy thanked for this step and called on European partners to apply similar restrictions.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked the United States for a “strong step” in sanctions against the honorary chairman of the ruling Georgian Dream party and former Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili and called on all European partners to do the same, UNN reports .
“I am grateful to the United States for taking a strong step in support of the Georgian people and our entire region - sanctions against Bidzina Ivanishvili. Ivanishvili is the de facto ruler in Tbilisi today and is doing everything to bring Georgia under Putin's control. The loss of any country in our region, the destruction of democracy for one people and the spread of criminal Russian influence pose a danger to the entire region, to all peoples,” Zelensky wrote.
He reminded that Ukraine has already applied a full set of sanctions against Ivanishvili and key members of his “mafia group.
“Now there is another decisive action - strong American sanctions. And we call on all European partners, all partners in the world who value normal life and freedom of peoples, to apply just such sanctions against Ivanishvili so that he realizes what the price is for destroying the independence of his country and humiliating the Georgian people. We believe that no mafia will be able to steal the dream of the Georgian people of a free life in the family of free nations, in the European community,” Zelensky added.
Addendum Addendum
Today, on December 27, the U.S. Treasury Department imposed sanctions against the honorary chairman of Georgia's ruling Georgian Dream party and former Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili.
Recall
The Georgian government has refused to negotiate EU accession and budget grants until the end of 2028. The decision was announced after a European Parliament resolution condemning the parliamentary elections in Georgia.
After this decision, rallies continued in the country.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy addressed the European Council on the situation in Georgia. Zelenskyy said that the Russian-controlled Georgian government refuses to cooperate with the EU and works in favor of Putin.
