Foreign Affairs Minister Maka Botchorishvili has called the British government’s decision to sanction Georgian television channels cynical, groundless, and incompatible with international standards.
“A great deal is happening around us that is astonishing, including what we heard regarding Britain’s move to sanction Georgian broadcasters. There is something particularly cynical about the fact that this is unfolding on the anniversary of the Soviet occupation. We are compelled to address this issue precisely on such a solemn date. The accusations levelled against Georgia are deeply troubling. It is painful to watch our country drawn into such a fierce and relentless battle without any legitimate basis, and to find ourselves having to defend our national interests against attacks of this kind,” Botchorishvili said in an interview with Rustavi 2 TV.
The minister also challenged the legal foundation of Britain’s decision.
“What possible grounds could exist for placing Georgian television channels under a sanctions package designed to support the fight against Russia? What purpose do these sanctions serve? As we understand it, sanctions are imposed to ease Ukraine’s battle against Russia and to bring about Russia’s defeat. If that is the stated goal, then it is nothing short of cynical for the West, in this case, Great Britain, to view the sanctioning of two Georgian television stations as a path to victory over Russia. Beyond the obvious issue of press freedom and media rights, any imposition of sanctions demands a solid and clearly defined legal basis,” Botchorishvili stated.
In her assessment, the Georgian people’s democratic choice has proven unacceptable to the British authorities.
“Why do they feel the need to exert pressure on Georgia and Georgian society in this manner? We are referring to widely watched television channels that a significant portion of Georgia’s population chooses to follow. Apparently, that is what the British government finds unacceptable, the choice made freely by the Georgian people,” she said.
Botchorishvili emphasised that every action demanded of Georgia by foreign governments must be evaluated through the lens of national interest and security. She noted that the Georgian government operates with the utmost caution, taking care not to take steps that could undermine the country’s security or compromise its national interests.
“We are doing something straightforward; we are fighting to defend our country’s national interests and to safeguard our security.
Today, as sanctions are being discussed, we understand what they feel like from lived experience. We know what it means for a country to be cut off from energy supplies, what it means to be sanctioned, what it means to face military action; Georgia has been through all of this. That lived experience is exactly why our government proceeds with the utmost caution, ensuring that we do not undertake any actions that could jeopardise our national interests and security. This is what our partners find objectionable, and it is a legitimate question to raise,” she said.
Botchorishvili was equally direct on the question of sanctions against Russia, stating that Georgia cannot and will not impose them, not because of indifference, but because doing so would carry enormous risks for Georgia while having virtually no impact on Russia.
“We cannot and do not impose sanctions on Russia because, in practice, such measures would have no meaningful effect on Russia, while their effect on Georgia could be severe. We also do not know what security threats such a move would create for our country, and we have no security guarantees whatsoever. Georgia is not a member of any military or political alliance; our partners are well aware of this, and our country has no security umbrella of any kind. In these circumstances, any step that raises even the slightest question mark over our country’s security is an act of irresponsibility. Georgia cannot have, and does not have, an irresponsible government. We will not take any step that would jeopardise this country’s security, however marginally,” she declared.
On the question of sanctions circumvention, the minister was unequivocal: the Georgian government will not allow its territory to be used to bypass international sanctions, and there is not a single documented fact to suggest that its ports or any other part of its territory has been used for such purposes.
“We ask a simple question: where is even one example or piece of evidence showing that our ports, or any port, or any part of Georgian territory has been used to circumvent sanctions? We maintain close working relations with the relevant departments of the European Commission, engaging in correspondence and working-level meetings, all dedicated to one goal: ensuring effective coordination on sanctions compliance. That makes it all the more troubling when the European Union moves to sanction a Georgian port without any factual basis. It raises a legitimate question: what is the real purpose of this kind of pressure on our country?” she said.
The minister concluded with a resolute statement of principle: the Georgian government approaches every decision with the utmost responsibility, and the protection of Georgia’s national interests will always take precedence.
“We understand very clearly what dangers certain steps that have frequently been demanded of Georgia could pose to our country. The responsibility, above all, lies with us when it comes to matters affecting our own nation. We cannot be absolved of that responsibility in the decisions we make. We must do everything in a way that serves our country’s national interests, not the interests of another state,” Botchorishvili said.
