Baramidze: Georgians must keep visa-free travel, sanctions should target Ivanishvili and his regime

Giorgi Baramidze, political secretary of the United National Movement (UNM), on Tuesday said Georgian citizens must retain their visa-free travel with the European Union, while sanctions should instead be imposed on Georgian Dream founder Bidzina Ivanishvili and his allies.

“Our goal is to ensure the release of political prisoners, including [former president] Mikheil Saakashvili, and to finally free Georgia from Russian influence,” Baramidze stated following a meeting with Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski.

Baramidze added the discussions with Sikorski focused on the looming threat of Georgia losing its visa-free regime with the EU. He stressed that restrictive measures, including travel bans, should clearly target Ivanishvili and what he called his “traitorous and criminal regime,” while ordinary Georgians should not be penalised.

Baramidze underscored that international support is vital in securing Saakashvili’s release and in protecting Georgia’s democratic course. He expressed confidence that with the help of partners like Poland, Georgia would be able to overcome Russian influence and achieve its European aspirations.