“I don’t know what objectives Russian propaganda has in disseminating such lies. But I can clearly state that these are outrageous lies that have nothing to do with reality,” said Pawel Herczynski, EU Ambassador to Georgia, remarking on the Russian intelligence-reported information that protest participants would allegedly be paid 120 Euros.

“These are obviously completely baseless accusations and it’s simple lies. I don’t even think that I should comment. On your broader question about Russian hybrid warfare, of course, Russia has been very busy, as we all know, for the last three years, brutally destroying Ukraine, bombing cities and killing civilians, apart from killing soldiers.

But we all know that Russia is conducting its hybrid activities everywhere, in the Central African Republic, in the Sahel in Syria, but also in Moldova and Georgia and many other places, including our own countries.

I don’t know what objectives Russian propaganda has in disseminating such lies. But I can clearly state that these are outrageous lies that have nothing to do with reality,” he said.

The Ambassador said the situation was extremely difficult in Georgia but hoped Georgians would find a way out.

“What I can say is that today we have met many people, really people who are far away from politics, and I was personally really extremely moved by many of them expressing solidarity with me. And even, one of the ladies said that after she watched attacks against me on TV, she felt like these were attacks against a member of her family. I really felt moved and I’m really grateful for all the signs of support and solidarity.

The situation is extremely difficult in Georgia and I sincerely hope that Georgians will find a way out of it. And of course, as EU ambassador, my role is to present the EU position as is agreed by 27 EU capitals, and this is what I have been doing since day one of my arrival,” he said.