Zourabichvili to CNN: Russia Poses Broader Threat Through Georgia
By Liza Mchedlidze
Tuesday, June 17, 2025
The 5th President of Georgia, Salome Zourabichvili, described the current political situation in Georgia as an existential struggle in an interview with CNN Prima NEWS. She said this explains why people continue protesting and refusing to give up, as the crisis goes beyond typical politics and affects the country's future.
"First of all, I continue my role as the legitimate president. All other institutions in Georgia are now partisan bodies. They are no longer state institutions, they are no longer independent. It is very important to have a figure who represents the continuity of the state. Of course, this is only symbolic. I have no authority, but I use this symbolism and the trust that I have received from the people of Georgia to try to play the role of coordinating and uniting the opposition," Zourabichvili said.
She added that her goal is to unite opposition forces to resist the current regime and to raise awareness internationally about the situation in Georgia. Zourabichvili emphasized her role as a voice for protesters inside the country through her contacts abroad.
According to Zourabichvili, the protests have been ongoing for more than two years, starting when people first demonstrated against the 'Russian law'.
"We are in a struggle for existence, which explains why people are not giving up, because this is not just a typical political crisis. This is much more and concerns the future of Georgia. I think perhaps the partners do not appreciate enough that the events taking place here are also a challenge for Georgia's democratic partners, be it the United States or Europe, and this is not limited to Georgia alone. From a strategic point of view, this concerns the entire Caucasus and the Black Sea, and therefore connectivity with Central Asia. Russia is creating a broader challenge here, even though it is weaker today than ever," she said.
Zourabichvili also stressed that the United States and Europe have invested heavily in Georgia's development, aiming to build strong state institutions and create a reliable democratic partner in the Black Sea region.
"All this suddenly disappears without anyone reacting consistently and politically. This does not mean that they should react on the spot, but at least clearly state in words what is happening," the 5th President added.
