President Salome Zourabichvili Calls for More Recognition and Support from the United States
By Liza Mchedlidze
Tuesday, October 31, 2023
In an interview with the CBS NEWS program 60 Minutes, President of Georgia Salome Zourabichvili stated that the war in Ukraine serves as a reminder of Georgia's past experiences, confirming the existence of a perpetual direct threat from Russia. She stated that Russia is 'testing the ground' and their current preferred aggression in Georgia is hybrid war.
President Zourabichvili addressed the presence of Russians who have settled in Georgia since the Ukraine war began. She expressed concern, stating, "It's very unnerving when in your own country you have people that are talking the language of the enemy. And they believe that they're at home."
"They're behaving and believing that they are very much at home. So there is a fine line. And that line has to be kept so that we do not have incidents in the future that would allow Russia to use their favorite doctrine of protecting Russian-speaking citizens," Zourabichvili said.
In a CBS interview, Zourabichvili expressed her desire for more recognition and support from the United States, particularly in relation to Georgia's candidate status within the European Union. She feels that such recognition from the highest levels of the U.S. government would be significant for the people of Georgia.
She emphasized that if Georgia is denied the European Union candidacy status, it will be a great victory for Russia.
"Sharyn Alfonsi (Interviewer): This is a critical time. Do you feel like the West, particularly the U.S., has been responsive enough and supportive enough of Georgia in this moment?
President Salome Zourabichvili: I don't think so. And I will take one concrete example. I've been a president now for five years. And I've not managed-- to have any form of meeting at my level, which would be the president or the vice president even through a phone call.-- I understand that there are more urgent issues. But I think that some more public recognition is needed.
Sharyn Alfonsi (Interviewer): Recognition of?
President Salome Zourabichvili: Of the fact that the United States is supporting our candidate status within the European Union. I know that is the language that the U.S. has with our European partners, but that being repeated by the highest level would be meaningful for the Georgian population.
The EU has laid out a list of requirements for Georgia to become a candidate for membership. The conditions include tackling corruption and lessening the economic and political influence of domestic oligarchs. A decision is expected by the end of the year.
Sharyn Alfonsi (Interviewer): What happens to Georgia if the EU denies the bid?
President Salome Zourabichvili: It will be a big victory for Russia." an excerpt from the CBS interview reads.
