Prepared by Messenger Staff
Bokuchava Accuses Ivanishvili of Political Bargaining Over Ukraine Claims Convention
United National Movement chairwoman Tina Bokuchava said Georgia's decision to join the International Claims Commission for Ukraine is an attempt by ruling party founder Bidzina Ivanishvili to improve his standing with Western partners rather than a genuine show of support for Ukraine.
Her comments came after Georgian Dream Foreign Minister Maka Botchorishvili signed the convention establishing the claims commission, which was created by 34 countries and the European Union to address damage caused by Russia's war in Ukraine.
Bokuchava pointed to the government's earlier refusal to back a special tribunal for Russian war crimes discussed under the Council of Europe, calling the shift in position opportunistic.
"This means only one thing, Bidzina is bargaining," Bokuchava said. "He needed to appear in a positive light internationally, and supporting Ukraine in a legal format was the easiest way to do that."
She accused Ivanishvili of sending mixed signals to Western partners, arguing that symbolic gestures abroad contrast with domestic actions.
"Like Putin, who negotiates during the day and bombs civilians at night, Ivanishvili will continue his actions at home while trying to trade favors with the West," Bokuchava said.
According to Bokuchava, the move does not represent a real policy change but another attempt to strike a deal with international partners.
The International Claims Commission aims to create a legal mechanism for compensation linked to Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Georgia joined the initiative with the signing of the convention by Botchorishvili.
Volski Says No Grounds for Suspending Georgia's Visa-Free Travel Despite EU Criticism
First Vice-Speaker of Georgian Dream Parliament Gia Volski said there is no legal basis for suspending Georgia's visa-free travel to the European Union, dismissing concerns raised in the latest conclusions of the European Council Presidency on enlargement.
Volski argued that the EU does not have a unified or clear position on punitive measures against Georgia and that the criteria for suspending visa-free travel apply broadly to dozens of countries.
"There is no prerequisite for stopping visa-free travel for Georgia, although everything is possible," Volski said. "They will try, but this is not a clear-cut attitude. People in Europe do not think that their taxes should be spent on war or on organizing a revolution in Georgia."
The conclusions issued by the European Council Presidency state that Georgia's EU accession process has effectively reached a deadlock until the authorities demonstrate a firm commitment to returning to the path of integration. The document also criticizes Georgia for failing to implement recommendations from the seventh report under the visa suspension mechanism and urges the government to meet visa liberalization criteria without delay.
Volski rejected claims that Georgia has failed to meet technical requirements, particularly on border management and migration control. He said Georgia has effective oversight in these areas and that recent changes to the suspension mechanism focus mainly on asylum applications and border crossings.
One remaining point of criticism, according to Volski, concerns the treatment of political opponents. He described this as a double standard, arguing that authorities are expected to refrain from enforcing the law in response to violent or destabilizing actions.
"They tell us the law should not respond to setting fires in the street, attacking police officers or occupying state institutions," Volski said. "That cannot be done."
Volski also pointed to divisions within the EU, noting that member states were unable to agree on a formal resolution regarding Georgia. Instead, a chairman's document was adopted, reflecting a lack of consensus. He said a similar split exists over the issue of visa-free travel.
"The level of justice that Brussels has offered does not meet the standards the European Union has," Volski said.
Despite the criticism from Brussels, Volski insisted that public opinion in Europe does not support suspending visa-free travel or escalating pressure on Georgia.
"In Europe, people do not believe their taxes should be spent on war or revolution in Georgia," he said.
