UNM’s Dekanoidze says Ivanishvili is in ‘genuine isolation’

Khatia Dekanoidze, one of the leaders of Georgia’s opposition United National Movement, has said that the ruling Georgian Dream party founder Bidzina Ivanishvili is in what she described as “genuine isolation”, adding that the so-called Ashgabat doctrine has failed.

Speaking to the media, Dekanoidze said that the concessions made by Ivanishvili — whom she referred to as an oligarch — had damaged Georgia’s national interests but had still failed to secure recognition or support from Russia.

“As it has turned out, and as we had anticipated, Ivanishvili is in genuine isolation. The Ashgabat doctrine has not worked. The concessions he made against the Georgian people, which harmed our national interests, proved insufficient even for Russia’s recognition. This is why Ivanishvili now finds himself facing serious questions and uncertainty,” she said.

Dekanoidze argued that authoritarian systems inevitably gravitate towards Russia and Iran, claiming that such regimes refrain from criticising those countries while openly prioritising relations with them.

“The trajectory of such autocracies always leads towards Russia and Iran. They speak of Russia with excessive deference and do not dare to utter a single critical word. Yet it is obvious that Ivanishvili is in complete isolation. He knows this, and that is why he is now deeply troubled,” she said.