Georgian Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili stated that several countries have repeatedly called on Tbilisi to engage in the conflict with Russia. Besides urging Georgia to impose sanctions on Russia, these countries have even asked Tbilisi to send troops to Ukraine.
Speaking to the press on May 27, Papuashvili said, “Many parties have urged us to do this, which means participating in a direct conflict with Russia.”
Although Papuashvili did not specifically name any countries, he implied that NATO members were among them.
According to him, no NATO country has officially sent troops to Ukraine, so he does not understand why Georgia is being asked to do so.
Additionally, he noted that Georgia has long faced pressure to join Western sanctions against Moscow.
On the other hand, Papuashvili mentioned that non-governmental organizations (NGOs) are also pressuring Georgia to confront Russia.
“NGOs that organized protests in Tbilisi have made similar suggestions that we should send troops to Ukraine,” he said.
In Georgia, protest movements have continued for weeks in the capital Tbilisi, opposing a controversial bill called: Transparency of Foreign Influence. This bill requires individuals and organizations, including media outlets, that receive more 20% of their funding from abroad to register as agents of foreign influence.
Critics claim it could be used to suppress opposition.
In February, Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze accused Ukraine of wanting to spread the war to his country to open a second front against Russia.
Prime Minister Kobakhidze asserted that Georgia is determined to pass the bill despite Western pressure. He warned that without this law, Georgia risks becoming a second Ukraine.
“Some want to open a second front against Russia in Georgia; we do not wish for that,” he emphasized.
After years of tension with Russia due to the 2008 conflict, Georgia is now pursuing a neutral approach to the war between Moscow and Kiev.
In 2022, when the Russia-Ukraine conflict erupted, Georgia announced it had no plans to impose sanctions against Russia, citing national interest. This decision strained relations between Tbilisi and Kiev.
