Georgia

Protesters against the only presidential candidate, Mikheil Kavelashvili, gathered near the Georgian parliament. The demonstrators came with diplomas, emphasizing the candidate's lack of higher education.

Protesters gathered near the Georgian parliament ahead of the presidential election with a single candidate from the ruling party. The protests erupted after the announcement of the termination of negotiations with the EU, and the current president refuses to leave office.

Georgia is holding presidential elections, where the favorite is the candidate of the ruling Georgian Dream party, Mikheil Kavelashvili. The incumbent president, Salome Zurabishvili, refuses to leave office, which exacerbates the political crisis in the country.

A mass rally in favor of Georgia's European integration continues in the center of Batumi, despite strong winds and heavy rain. The protesters were joined by sailors and psychologists, and a delegation of the European Parliament arrived in Tbilisi to support the rally.

Salome Zurabishvili criticized the Tbilisi mayor's plans to light the Christmas tree during protests near the parliament. The President proposed to postpone the celebration to December 17 and change the location.

Salome Zurabishvili does not recognize the December 14 presidential election and refuses to step down. She declares that she will remain president until democratic elections are held, supporting mass protests.

The Georgian parliament has banned covering faces and using pyrotechnics during protests. Fines of up to 5,000 GEL have been set for violating the new rules.

The United States has imposed visa restrictions on about 20 Georgian government officials, parliamentarians and others for undermining democracy. The restrictions apply to those involved in repressions against the opposition and obstructing Georgia's European integration.

The European Parliament delegation arrives in Tbilisi and supports a pro-European rally on Rustaveli Avenue. The protesters demand sanctions against the Georgian Dream, and MEPs recognize only the institution of the president as legitimate.

Developer Nick Shelia created the MNT social network to coordinate pro-European protests in Georgia. The app helps filter out disinformation and is available for download on the App Store and Google Play.

There are 27226 foreign students enrolled in Ukrainian universities, most of them from China - 10735 people. The most popular specialty among foreigners is medicine, and most students study at KNUTD.

EU and US companies continue to supply weapons to Russia through intermediary countries. Arms exports to Armenia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, and other countries have increased 2.5 times in three years, from where they end up in Russia.

Public sector workers in Georgia joined 14 days of protests near the parliament. In response, the government is preparing amendments to the law that will make it more difficult for fired civil servants to return to work.

Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga called on European countries to unite against Russia's hybrid attacks. Ukraine is ready to share its experience in countering threats ranging from cyberattacks to disinformation.

Peter Szijjarto said Hungary would veto any EU sanctions against Georgian officials. The foreign minister accused Brussels of double standards regarding democratic elections in Georgia.

The US State Department is ready to use sanctions tools against the Georgian authorities. Matthew Miller announced the possibility of personal restrictions, but specific details have not yet been disclosed.

Georgia's security service has announced plans by “destructive forces” to escalate the situation in the country before the December 14 presidential election. Seven activists have already been detained in Tbilisi and Kutaisi after a peaceful protest.

In Tbilisi and Kutaisi, seven activists were detained after a peaceful protest rally on Rustaveli Avenue. Among the detainees are a well-known pediatrician and a presidential scholarship recipient, and there are also reports of anonymous threats against the protesters.

At the December 19 summit, EU leaders plan to reaffirm their support for Ukraine and Moldova. At the same time, they will condemn the actions of the Georgian authorities to suppress protests and suspend European integration.

Protesters brought and burned a coffin with the image of pro-Russian oligarch Bidzina Ivanishvili outside the Georgian parliament building. This happened against the background of protests against the results of the parliamentary elections.

The Ukrainian Embassy in Georgia is investigating reports of the detention of a Ukrainian citizen during the protests in Tbilisi. The fact of the detained person's Ukrainian citizenship has not yet been confirmed by the Georgian side.

Georgian president Salomi Zurabishvili remains in opposition to the Georgian Dream government until the end of his presidential term, supporting pro-European protests.

The UK is suspending all aid programs for Georgia and restricting interaction with the government due to the suppression of protests. British Foreign Secretary David Lemmy said that the actions of the authorities contradict the European course of the country.

Near the Georgian parliament, activists decorated the Christmas tree with flags and photos of victims of previous protests. The frame of the Christmas tree was decorated with flags of Georgia, Ukraine, the EU and the United States, as well as photos of journalists and activists.

The pro-government Georgian Dream party plans to ban covering your face at rallies and actions. The decision was made after a series of attacks on journalists, during which more than 56 media representatives were injured.

Salome Zurabishvili expressed concern about violations in the parliamentary elections during a visit to Paris. The opposition is protesting against the results, accusing the authorities of falsifying and detaining activists.

A series of attacks on journalists and citizens took place in the center of Tbilisi, including a cameraman, a journalist and an actor. The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia has opened a criminal case, the attackers are compared to "titushki".

The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry expressed solidarity with Romania over Russia's interference in the electoral process. Declassified data confirms the Kremlin's attempts to influence democratic processes in the EU and NATO countries.

The Georgian Interior Ministry reported 28 detainees in connection with riots at protest actions in Tbilisi. Among those detained are actor Andro Chichinadze and comedian Onis Tskadadze, about 450 people were detained in just 9 days of actions.

The European Commission has warned Georgia about the possible suspension of the visa-free regime due to non-compliance with the conditions. The country needs to repeal restrictive laws and harmonize its visa policy with the EU.