Georgian PM claims UK PM 'couldn’t raise his head' during criticism of EU’s ‘unfair’ attitude to Tbilisi

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Wednesday claimed that UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer “couldn’t raise his head” during a recent regional summit, as Kobakhidze criticised what he described as the European Union’s “unfair” treatment of Georgia.

Speaking to journalists after participating in a round-table discussion in Albania, Kobakhidze said he had dedicated a significant portion of his speech to addressing what he saw as bias against Georgia in the EU accession process.

“The British Prime Minister, for example, did not raise his head, because he did not like to talk about the facts that directly indicate an unfair attitude towards Georgia,” Kobakhidze claimed.

He went on to accuse elements within Western institutions - which he described as the “deep state” - of attempting to orchestrate a revolution in Georgia with the help of the European bureaucracy. He claimed this was part of a broader effort to pressure Tbilisi into opening a “second front” against Russia. 

“They used our [EU] candidate status and the opening of negotiations to blackmail us and open a second front in Georgia,” he said. “We expected this.”

Kobakhidze further reiterated grievances over the delay in granting Georgia EU candidate status and beginning accession negotiations. The EU formally granted Georgia candidate status in December 2023, but negotiations have yet to commence. Late last year, Kobakhidze announced a delay in EU integration until 2028, pointing to alleged blackmail from the bloc about opening the second front that caused large-scaled protests in the country. 

“We were denied candidate status [in 2022] and the opening of negotiations for three years. Those who were organising a revolution against us have no legitimate right to demand anything from us,” he said, accusing unspecified European officials of being “directly involved” in efforts to destabilise his government.

The Georgian leader also criticised what he described as superficial responses from EU representatives when confronted with his claims of injustice. “When we talk to people face to face and confirm with facts the injustice that is being committed against Georgia, there is no answer,” he said. “We hear only superficial, unargued statements.”