“Which sanctions? According to your information, we’ve already been sanctioned once. Are we being sanctioned again? Today, I am more proud than ever because we are the people who protect our country’s sovereignty, peace, and tranquillity. We do not allow anyone to use a small country with a great history like Georgia for the interests of their larger nations, plunging us into a dire situation similar to Ukraine’s,” Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze responded to questions about potential U.S. sanctions.

Kaladze emphasized that the country’s interests are paramount. Regarding the police, he noted that some protesters had attacked officers with stones and Molotov cocktails during demonstrations.

“Under no circumstances will we allow ‘Ukrainization’ to occur in our country,” Kaladze asserted. “Peace will be maintained in Georgia. No matter what threats or sanctions we face, we will always act in the interests of our country and people.”

Addressing the reported sanctions on law enforcement officials, Kaladze said, “This is precisely the kind of pressure that will not diminish the Georgian Dream party, the Georgian government, or Georgia itself. Those who take these misguided steps are only harming themselves. These individuals have always protected the interests of the country and its people.”

The mayor challenged critics, saying, “You won’t find a single instance where the police attacked or retaliated against someone unprovoked. There were incidents of stone-throwing and other heavy objects being hurled, along with verbal abuse. I dare you to go to Europe or America and throw a stone or a Molotov cocktail at a police officer – see what happens to you.”

Kaladze also addressed the nature of the protests, stating, “Many peaceful protesters left the demonstrations without a hair on their head being touched. However, there were some instigated young people. As one of them said, Vashadze was inciting them. It’s troubling that you want to glorify a young person who throws a Molotov cocktail at a police officer.”

“This is the sad reality, and that’s why the public has such an attitude towards radical groups. On October 26th, believe me, you will receive an appropriate response from the public,” he concluded with a warning to opposition groups.