“Georgian PM Kobakhidze rejects Russian influence and embraces Europe ahead of elections,” reads the interview of Euronews with Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze.

Journalist Jane Witherspoon remarks that Georgia’s Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze “leaves the impression of a relaxed, yet composed and focused man,”

“No big entourage in tow for our interview, he readily chatted about football, remembering a moment of pride over domestic legend Temur Ketsbaia, a former Newcastle United player, and pointing out there’s a new, rising star at the same club.

At the same time, Kobakhidze clearly knows what is at stake for his country in the upcoming parliamentary elections on Sunday — a pivotal, high-velocity moment as the outcome could potentially shape the nation’s future integration within the EU and its movement away from Russian influence,” she said.

The in-depth interview will be broadcast by Euronews at 11 p.m. Tbilisi time.