Prepared by Messenger Staff
Kaladze Rejects UK Sanctions on Imedi and POSTV as Unfair
The United Kingdom has imposed sanctions on the television companies Imedi and POSTV, saying the broadcasters were involved in spreading Russian disinformation.
According to the British government, the sanctions include asset freezes, bans on financial services related to asset management, and the disqualification of company directors. The sanctions document says the two channels "deliberately spread misleading information to their audience, primarily in Georgia, about Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine."
Responding to the sanctions, Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze said the decision had no meaning for him and called it unfair. "This means nothing to me what the UK considers or not," Kaladze said.
He questioned the basis for the sanctions. "What disinformation was spread by these television companies? Can you tell me?" he said. "Tell me one specific example of what was spread incorrectly, a lie."
Kaladze said such actions amounted to interference in Georgia's internal affairs. "We respect every country, including EU countries, but they must respect our independence and our sovereignty," he said. "What was said regarding 'Imedi' and 'POSTV' is an unfair attitude."
Papuashvili Rejects UK Claim That Georgia Is Not Being Asked to Open Second Front
The United Kingdom's Ambassador to Georgia, Gareth Ward, stated no one was asking Georgia to open a second front against Russia and described such claims as disinformation.
"No one is asking Georgia to open a second front. This is disinformation," Ward said. "Georgia can play its role by joining European sanctions and ensuring that Russia has no access to military materials and no revenue from its oil and gas."
He added that Russia's invasion of Ukraine was directly relevant to Georgia, noting that 20 percent of Georgian territory remains occupied by Russia.
In response, Georgian Dream-led Parliament Chairman Shalva Papuashvili said the claim was not true. "The claim that 'no one is asking Georgia to open a second front' is just rhetoric, because the facts say otherwise," he wrote on social media.
Papuashvili said imposing sanctions would mean escalation. "Imposing sanctions means escalation with Russia. Escalation means war, in which we would be alone," he wrote.
He also said, "Sacrificing others for one's own interests is wrong and unfair, especially when you know that sacrifice for escalation will lead to war."
Germany's Ambassador Says EU Sanctions Proposal Included Georgia's Kulevi Port
Germany's Ambassador to Georgia, Peter Fischer, said a legislative proposal to sanction the Kulevi port was included in the European Union's 20th sanctions package against Russia but was blocked by vetoes from Hungary and Slovakia.
Speaking during a panel discussion marking the fourth anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Fischer said the proposed sanctions package was extensive and targeted Russian oil, ports receiving Russian oil, and ports linked to Russia's so-called shadow fleet.
"Yesterday in the European Union, we were supposed to adopt the 20th sanctions package, which was quite extensive," Fischer said. "We did not adopt this package because Hungary and Slovakia imposed a veto."
Fischer said the package also included the Kulevi port and stressed that EU sanctions proposals are based on documented findings. "When there is a legislative proposal in the European Union regarding the imposition of sanctions, it is accompanied by a package of evidence," he said. "We present a package of evidence, and there was both the legislative proposal and the package of evidence."
Referring to Georgia's relations within the EU, Fischer added that Hungary's support would not advance Georgia's accession prospects. "Hungary is your best friend in the European Union, which the Georgian authorities have chosen as their ally," he said. "Think again, this will not happen."
