UNM’s Pavlenishvili: Kremlin’s imperialist designs in Georgia constitute a major threat discussed with natural allies

“Our partners have said many times that Europe stretches from Lisbon to Tbilisi, and that what is being undermined in Tbilisi is not only Georgian statehood but European security too. That message was important,’ said Irakli Pavlenishvili, chair of the United National Movement’s interim governing council.

He said Georgia is part of the West, and its allies are not Iran and Russia but the Western world.

“Serious things are happening in the country. In a crisis like this, the threat is not only to Georgia’s statehood; it is a problem for Western security as a whole. When the Kremlin is carrying out its imperialist designs in Georgia, that is a serious problem, and we are discussing these problems with our natural allies.

While some may argue that our natural allies lie in Russia or Iran, we firmly disagree. We believe Georgia is an integral part of the West, and that our primary alliances belong with Western nations. That is why we shared our impressions and positions with them.

The West can show its support in a great many ways. The main task still lies with the Georgian people, but we must ensure the West remains closely engaged with what is happening here. After all, Georgia cannot be viewed in isolation from the rest of Europe. Our partners have said many times that Europe stretches from Lisbon to Tbilisi. A great deal is happening in Tbilisi, and what is being undermined is not only Georgian statehood but European security too. That was important,” Pavlenishvili said.

The British Embassy in Georgia hosted a meeting with opposition leaders. According to available information, British Ambassador Gareth Ward, German Ambassador Barbara Voss and French Ambassador Olivier Courteaux attended it. Badri Japaridze (Lelo – Strong Georgia), Irakli Pavlenishvili (United National Movement), Giga Bokeria (Federalists) and Nika Gvaramia (Coalition for Change) presented the opposition.