Mayor Kaladze: After the 2008 war, they welcomed Russians in every way possible; yet look at their statements since invasion of Ukraine

“What are we to conclude? That when war came to us, the Russians were fine, but suddenly became bad only when they invaded Ukraine? It is pure hypocrisy,” stated Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze when asked by reporters to evaluate the recent open letter issued by Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze.

According to Kaladze, the Prime Minister’s letter clearly highlights the presence of individuals within the country who possess no sense of homeland.

“The Prime Minister evaluated the tragic reality we face today. This letter makes everything abundantly clear: that within our borders, we have individuals devoid of a homeland. In 2008, when the country lost territories, hero soldiers, and civilian lives, and when infrastructure was shattered, the administration of the time pursued a very different policy. Appeals were calling on Russians to come to Georgia. We all remember Mikheil Saakashvili greeting Russian tourists at the Larsi border post, armfuls of roses and poppies in hand. Georgian state enterprises were handed over to Russian state companies. Saakashvili’s bloody regime executed a treasonous policy, and the country suffered the consequences. It will eventually be laid bare on whose orders and under whose directives all of this was carried out.

The tragic reality is that after the August war, their actions welcomed and accommodated Russians in every imaginable way; yet look at the statements being made since Russia invaded Ukraine. What does that imply? That when war was waged on us, the Russians were good, and only became bad later? It is hypocrisy. It demonstrates yet again that these individuals are foreign agents serving the Deep State, without even the right to ask questions,” the Mayor of Tbilisi noted.

In response to a journalist’s observation that opposition representatives claim the term ‘Russophobia’ is used exclusively by Russians, Kakha Kaladze replied: “They do everything possible to dodge responsibility and paint a completely false picture for the public. The facts speak for themselves: their past decisions, their stance towards Russian citizens. Take opposition figure Elene Khoshtaria, for example, who presents herself as one of the primary fighters against Russia, yet receives funds directly from the Russian Federation.”

Furthermore, according to Tbilisi Mayor, since 2012, the Georgian Dream government has uniquely advanced the interests of the country and its people.

“What we changed is that through our policies and the steps we have taken, only the interests of the state and the nation are served. The long-term peace we enjoy in our country today, which drives our economic growth, is the direct achievement of Georgian Dream. Do not assume this process has been easy: look at how they wage war against the Georgian people and the state, the statements made urging the opening of a second front, the resolutions passed demanding we join sanctions, and so forth. But they failed, and they will continue to fail, because today we have a patriotic government that loves its country and its people. I am proud to be Georgian; I was born here, raised here, educated here; it is my source of pride, as is our nation’s history and culture. Meanwhile, the agents of foreign influence, along with their so-called NGO operatives, are actively fighting against all of it through their statements and specific actions,” declared Kakha Kaladze.