Ex-president Zourabichvili highlights impact of individual sanctions in Georgia

20:57, 13.06.2025

“The goal of sanctions is not to radically alter policy but to subtly create fissures,” former President of Georgia, Salome Zourabichvili, stated during a panel at the GLOBSEC International Security Forum in Prague.

According to Zourabichvili, sanctions are particularly effective in small nations like Georgia.

“Non-recognition is a very significant aspect. Certain European countries have implemented individual sanctions since the EU, as a whole, struggles to agree on collective measures due to the absence of consensus. This is crucial because sanctions are particularly effective in small nations like Georgia. Georgia is not Iran, Russia, or China—its economy and political landscape are more fragile. Businesspeople here rely heavily on external contacts. Even those connected to the ruling party need international interactions. This creates tension and vulnerability within the ruling circle, which is painful and destabilising. The primary aim of sanctions is not to force a complete policy shift but to subtly induce fractures and weaken cohesion,” Zourabichvili emphasised.

By - Svetlana Alimova

Politics

GLOBSEC

Prague

Salome Zourabichvili

sanctions