Speaking to journalists, Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze addressed several pressing questions concerning Georgia’s internal and external political landscape.
Kaladze has responded to former President Salome Zourabichvili’s Resistance Platform appeal to the leaders of the Weimar Triangle, stating that processes in Georgia are led by the Georgian people and not by external forces.
According to his explanation, opposition figures receive instructions from beyond Georgia’s borders, from specific patrons.
“Everyone should understand one fundamental truth – processes in Georgia are driven by the Georgian people, not by external forces, as these radicals and representatives of unpatriotic agency networks believe. These individuals do not belong to Georgia; they have their own patrons and are mere agents of foreign interests. They fail to grasp that in Georgia, decisions are made by its own people. The recent actions we observe from them are clearly externally orchestrated—guided by their patrons who dictate their every move, from the direction they take to the topics they discuss. Everything is controlled from outside our borders,” Kakha Kaladze declared.
In response to criticism of Georgia’s government by Weimar Triangle leaders, the Tbilisi mayor proposed the opposition.
“I‘ll tell you a good solution – bring Emmanuel Macron here and let him run as a candidate for Tbilisi mayor in the local elections. This way you’ll also ‘justify‘ participation in elections,” Kakha Kaladze noted.
Georgia is not anyone’s backyard
“Georgia is not someone’s or any big country’s backyard. We are an independent country,” Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze responded to a question about normalising relations with the European Union.
According to him, arranging relations does not mean submitting to someone.
“Georgia is not someone’s or any big country’s backyard. We are an independent country, a sovereign state. My, your, our ancestors fought for all this; they shed blood to gain independence and not to be dependent on some big country’s representative coming out, ordering us something, and us having to do it with bowed heads. Don’t have the attitude that if someone is European and says something, it’s 100% true. It’s not like that. First and foremost, we must protect our country’s interests,” Kakha Kaladze declared.
Ready for U.S. relations reset
The Tbilisi mayor also answered a question about American Senator Steve Daines’ visit to Georgia, noting that the country’s government is ready to normalize relations with the United States.
“Georgia’s government and authorities are ready for a reset of relations with the U.S.; for relations to start from a new page and be genuine, partnership-based, and friendly. This is fundamentally important for us and I’m sure for the United States as well because our region is very important,” the Tbilisi mayor noted.
When asked what could be the initial stage of normalizing relations, the Tbilisi mayor responds that first and foremost, high-ranking officials should stop making statements based on lies regarding Georgia.
Small countries should not be used for big powers’ interests
Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze also responded to a journalist’s question about U.S. President’s Special Representative Keith Kellogg’s remarks on Russia’s concerns over NATO’s eastward enlargement by emphasizing the importance of sovereignty for small nations.
“Of course, big countries will continue to negotiate and make decisions among themselves. However, we, as small countries, must be vigilant and ensure that we do not provide any opportunity for our nations to be used as tools to serve the interests of larger powers. Our priority is to protect our independence and ensure that our countries are not exploited in geopolitical games,” he stated.
Despite facing insults, slander, and ongoing blackmail, Kaladze underscored that Georgia had to stand firm to protect its sovereignty and national interests.
“All these challenges and false accusations were because we prioritized our country’s security,” he said.
Kaladze reaffirmed Georgia’s commitment to building strong international partnerships, emphasizing that the country is open to cooperation with friends and allies.
“Georgia has always been ready, and remains ready today, to forge meaningful and mutually beneficial relationships,” he concluded.
