Kaja Kallas: Discussions ongoing on sanctioning of ministers

Kaja Kallas, Vice-President of the European Commission/ EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Marta Kos, European Commissioner for Enlargement, answered questions from reporters following the presentation of the 2026 Enlargement Package in the European Parliament.

Kaja Kallas responded to a question concerning the imposition of sanctions on ministers, “who used force against peaceful demonstrators,” stating that all options are currently under consideration.

According to Kallas, there will be a more in-depth discussion regarding Georgia with the foreign ministers in January.

“The discussion concerned the imposition of sanctions against those ministers who used force against peaceful demonstrators. It is true that, at the time, not all member states supported this initiative; some opposed it. Naturally, discussions are ongoing, and in January we will examine this issue in depth, specifically, how to approach it and what might yield the greatest impact. It is worth reiterating that while we support the Georgian people, it is equally important to send a clear signal to the government that this is not the right path,” stated Kaja Kallas.

Marta Kos, European Commissioner for Enlargement, stated that the Georgian government will have to change course and return to democracy; only then will it be possible for the accession process to resume.

“The door to the European Union remains open for Georgia, but the Georgian authorities will have to change course and return to democracy, the rule of law and respect for fundamental rights, and then the accession process will be able to be resumed. We are aware, and this gives us hope, that the vast majority of Georgians want a European future and we want to see Georgia back on that path,” she said.