I can confirm that there was a request to Bidzina Ivanishvili regarding a meeting with [James O'Brien], which Bidzina Ivanishvili refused - as for the topic of sanctions, this is absolutely not serious, - Prime Minister of Georgia Irakli Kobakhidze told journalists while responding to the information, that "James O'Brien, the US Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs, will bring the package of sanctions to Georgia tomorrow and will meet with Bidzina Ivanishvili".

According to Kobakhidze, Bidzina Ivanishvili's position is that he cannot hold any meeting under blackmail. In addition, as the Prime Minister says, Ivanishvili is not interested in the topic of sanctions, because "de facto sanctions are already in effect".

"Bidzina Ivanishvili is not interested in this issue, based on the fact that he considers this issue to be not serious. Regarding O'Brien's visit, I can confirm that there was a request to Bidzina Ivanishvili regarding a meeting, which Bidzina Ivanishvili refused. This has its explanation. There were also cases during the past months when Bidzina Ivanishvili refused to attend a meeting with other foreign diplomats and politicians. I have information about this because I was asked to agree these issues. In all cases the reason for refusal was the same. Bidzina Ivanishvili claimed that he is already under de-facto sanctions. He has frozen 2 billion dollars, which he entrusted to the West, but it turned out to be in the hands of the global war party. Therefore, Bidzina Ivanishvili's position is that he cannot hold any meeting under blackmail. This is his clear position. As soon as the blackmail and de-facto sanctions are over, any meeting can be held, but today this is Bidzina Ivanishvili's position. Therefore, such blackmail and threats have not worked since March 2022, when the funds were frozen after the start of the war in Ukraine, and such blackmail and threats cannot be used against him. No one will make Bidzina Ivanishvili take steps against the state, under conditions of blackmail and threats. After all, the sanction itself contains blackmail and threats. This is a non-serious topic considering all these circumstances", said Irakli Kobakhidze.

The media has reported that US Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs, James O'Brien, who is coming to Georgia, will bring Bidzina Ivanishvili's sanctions package and will also meet with Bidzina Ivanishvili.