Papuashvili: "Some in Europe Are Angry with Georgia for Refusing to Escalate"
By Liza Mchedlidze
Monday, April 5, 2025
The Speaker of the Georgian Parliament, Shalva Papuashvili, commented on Georgia's foreign policy stance following a meeting with the Speakers of both Houses of the Belgian Parliament during the Inter-Parliamentary Union Assembly in Tashkent.
"There were expectations that Georgia would escalate. As we refused to escalate, to impose bilateral sanctions, to close the border and the sky, some in Europe are frustrated, upset and angry with Georgia," Papuashvili said.
He noted that the vision presented by the Georgian side was understood by the Belgian counterparts and that the meeting also covered the potential for deeper cooperation.
"We had a meeting with the Speakers of both Houses of Belgian Parliament, including the former chairman of the parliament. First of all, we talked about the relations between Georgia and Belgium. I thanked them for the fact that Belgian citizens are also involved in the EU monitoring mission in the occupied territories. Of course, we talked about the relations between Georgia and the EU. Among them, they were interested in why there is some tension."
Papuashvili said the Georgian side offered context and explanation for the strained relations.
"We explained what had been going on for the last three years. Namely, the fact that, unfortunately, there were certain expectations from some European political groups or countries towards Georgia after the war in Ukraine began. The expectations were that Georgia would escalate, despite the fact that before that it had been recommending a peace policy. As we refused to escalate, imposed bilateral sanctions, close borders and skies, that is, to destroy our country, because of this some in Europe are offended and some are angry."
He also addressed concerns regarding interference in Georgia's internal affairs by foreign political figures.
"We also talked about how some European politicians and government representatives were involved in the elections. We remember the Baltic ministers who stood at the rallies before the elections. We talked about all this, explained everything to them, and I think that they understand the vision that we presented. In general, there is very good cooperation between the parliaments."
The Speaker emphasized the need for balanced expectations from European partners when it comes to sanctions and security guarantees.
"We said goodbye to each other with the hope of this cooperation. When we were talking about the fact that when a resolution is adopted in the European Parliament to impose bilateral sanctions on Russia and at the same time, no one gives us security and economic guarantees, of course, it was also clear to our colleagues that in this situation it is irresponsible to impose such demands on the country."
Papuashvili also reflected on broader geopolitical shifts and the uncertainty surrounding the future of the war in Ukraine.
"From today's perspective, everyone realizes that the ongoing war in Ukraine is coming to an end and everyone is watching this process with caution, because on the one hand, everyone supports Ukraine, hoping that it will end positively for them, but everyone sees that the risk is great and the hopes they had for peace may not come true."
He concluded by referencing Georgia's own experience with conflict and underlined the importance of relying on national interest over external promises.
"We have seen this in the past, our war was over after eight months, when relations between America and Russia were strained and British and French soldiers stood on Red Square at the May 9 parade, Ukrainian soldiers too, after our war. We have seen all this in the sense that we cannot trust others, we must trust our people, ourselves and national interests," said Shalva Papuashvili.
