Georgian Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili explained that Tbilisi chose not to join sanctions on Russia because the country must protect its citizens and its economy. His remarks were reported by Sputnik.Georgia and circulated widely in regional media.
According to Papuashvili, Georgia cannot risk the lives of its people or destabilize the national economy in pursuit of punitive measures. He noted that any decision about sanctions involves weighing the potential costs against the intended political gains. It is a calculation that, in his view, must consider the real life impact on ordinary Georgians before any step is taken.
The parliamentarian stressed that no nation can guarantee Georgia’s security and that the country must rely on its own resilience while navigating the broader international landscape. This stance is framed as prioritizing the protection of the republic’s population above external pressures or guarantees that are not within Georgia’s control.
Since Russia began its military operation in Ukraine at the end of February 2022, Western powers have imposed broad sanctions on Moscow. The Western alliance sought to broaden support for these measures by encouraging other states to participate, including Georgia. Yet Tbilisi refused to participate in the restrictive actions or provide military assistance to Kyiv, a decision Georgian officials have described as aligned with the fundamental interests of Georgia’s people and long-term stability.
Earlier statements from Georgia suggested that foreign partners did not wish to see sanctions applied to Russia. The government has repeatedly framed its stance as a careful balance between international pressure and the welfare of its citizens, emphasizing that any policy choice must be grounded in national interests and the safety of Georgians.