Salome Zourabichvili: “I Have Little Faith in EU Sanctions, but U.S. Handles This Tool Well”

In an interview with Mtavari Arkhi, Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili expressed skepticism regarding the European Union’s ability to impose sanctions, emphasizing the challenges of reaching a consensus among member states. However, she acknowledged the effectiveness of the United States in utilizing this instrument.

“I have little faith in EU sanctions. There may be restrictions in other forms, such as on the aid our budget depends on, which could further deepen the economic and financial crisis. However, personal sanctions are much harder for the EU, which operates on a consensus basis, whereas the US manages this tool very effectively,” said Zourabichvili.

The President also noted ongoing discussions between the US and EU about potential actions. She questioned the loyalty of Georgian Dream supporters to Russia, pointing out that the ruling party’s campaigns have primarily focused on promises of EU integration, as most citizens desire closer ties with the European Union.

Regarding Georgia’s political situation, Zourabichvili criticized the opposition, stating that neither she nor the public is satisfied with their performance.

“Nobody is satisfied with the opposition. They were prepared for one scenario but had to face an entirely different reality,” she explained.

Zourabichvili further accused Georgian Dream of following a “Russian script” during elections and governance. She claimed that manipulative tactics, reminiscent of Russian intelligence operations, were used to create psychological shocks and erode public trust.

“During the elections, Georgian Dream executed a Russian-style scenario, making people believe in victory until the last moment, only to shatter those hopes suddenly. This is a profound psychological shock, and society has not yet fully recovered from it,” she concluded.