“Georgia is not the only country that has not imposed national economic sanctions on Russia. We cannot impose sanctions for natural reasons because we have national interests,” Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili said during a panel discussion at the Qatar Economic Forum.

Speaking further, PM Garibashvili elaborated on the challenges that have changed international order and the Russian occupation of Georgia’s territories, pointing out that Russia had occupied 20% of his country in 2008 before invading Ukraine.

“Indeed, it is a different world. We are witnessing the change of rules-based international order. Before Ukraine, it was Georgia. Russia invaded Georgia and Russia occupied 20% of our territory, which is still occupied. Russian troops are in Georgia and we basically live with Russian troops. It is reality, ongoing Russian occupation. I want to remind everyone that no one in the world paid enough attention, let’s be open and frank. A sovereign nation, independent country Georgia was invaded by Russia, occupied 20% of territory and there was no reaction, no adequate or proper reaction from the world, no sanctions were imposed on Russia, nothing. In 2014, the world was surprised of the annexation of Crimea. And just recently, om 2022, we are witnessing a full-scale invasion of Russia in Ukraine.

So, to answer your question where Georgia stands in this situation, you have to understand that having taken into account that Georgia is occupied, we live with the Russian troops, Georgia is vulnerable. Of course, we worry about the security situation, security of our nation, our people,” Irakli Garibashvili said.

The Prime Minister explained Georgia supports Ukraine on all international platforms, having joined the UN, OSCE, and 260 resolutions. As a part of international, financial, and global systems, Georgia responded adequately, having made it very clear publicly that individual companies, one of them VTB Bank, would not be able to circumvent sanctions.

“We stand with the international community politically. We are in full coordination with international, American, and European partners. So this is our position,” the Prime Minister said, arising from the interests and threats to the national interests. “Moldova, for example, is another country in the Associated Trio that did not impose economic sanctions on Russia for very natural reasons,” Irakli Garibashvili concluded.