Not only Ivanishvili: Ukraine sanctions Georgia's PM and ex-player of Dynamo Kyiv
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has signed a decree imposing sanctions on Georgia's pro-Russian authorities, including billionaire and former Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili and his associates.
"I have just signed a decree to enforce the National Security and Defence Council's decision on sanctions. These sanctions target the segment of Georgia’s current government that is handing the country over to Putin.
Ukraine has imposed sanctions on Ivanishvili and 18 of his associates – those who are betraying the interests of Georgia and its people.
We urge Europe, the United States, and the entire international community to take a similar stand – to act with resolve and principle," Zelenskyy said in his address.
Zelenskyy warned that a delayed or weak response could result in lost decades and nations deprived of their freedom: "We cannot afford to lose any country in this region – neither Georgia, nor Moldova, nor Ukraine."
The list includes:
- Grigol Liluashvili, Head of the State Security Service of Georgia;
- Kakha Kaladze, Mayor of Tbilisi and Secretary General of the ruling Georgian Dream party, who used to play for the Dynami Kyiv:
- Mikhail Chinchaladze, Head of the Court of Appeal of Georgia;
- Mamuka Mdinaradze, Executive Secretary of Georgian Dream;
- Vakhtang Gomelauri, Minister of Internal Affairs;
- Otar Partskhaladze, Former Prosecutor General;
- Irakli Rukhadze, Owner of Imedi TV;
- Judge Levan Murusidze;
- Viktor Japaridze and Dimitri Samkharadze, MPs from Georgian Dream;
- Giorgi Khaindrava, Deputy Minister of Defence;
- Irakli Kobakhidze, Prime Minister of Georgia;
- Zviad Shalamberidze, State Attorney in Imereti;
- Judge Shalva Tadumadze;
- Thea Tsulukiani, Deputy Prime Minister and others.
All those on the sanctions list were banned from entering Ukraine for a period of 10 years, and a number of other restrictions were also imposed.
The Ukrainian leader called for a united effort to stand against Moscow.
Protests continue in Georgia after the country's PM announced that Tbilisi would pause the issue of opening EU accession talks until 2029.
The Baltic states have announced sanctions against Georgian officials involved in dispersing the protests, including the de facto leader of the ruling party, oligarch Bidzina Ivanishvili.