Salome Zurabishvili: For eight months now, Georgia has been fighting in the streets; no one has abandoned this struggle, because this is not a political crisis, but an existential one. It is a war against Russia's new hybrid strategy

For eight months now, Georgia has been fighting in the streets. No one has abandoned this struggle, because this is not a political crisis, but an existential one.

It is a war – a war against Russia's new hybrid strategy, – said Georgia’s 5th President Salome Zurabishvili during her speech at the National Congress of the “Union for the Salvation of Romania” in Bucharest.

According to her, Russia has changed its strategy toward Georgia and is now trying to conquer the country without bloodshed.

"There is repression, intimidation, and control in the country, yet the people do not give up. They do not give up because this is not merely a political crisis, as some in Europe might think. This is not just about contested elections whose results the opposition questions. This is Russia’s attempt to seize what does not belong to it. It is trying to conquer the state in the same way it attempted in Ukraine. It failed then and will fail again. But now it’s trying to do it without bloodshed, using all the weapons it has already mastered: propaganda, electoral manipulation, cyberattacks, cultural manipulation – trying to impose values that are foreign to us. From Georgia to Moldova, from Romania to Brussels, Russia’s goal is division, destabilization, and discrediting. This is not a theory – this is a fact! To this day, 20% of Georgia’s territory is occupied by Russian tanks and troops. People living there cannot speak their own language or defend their rights. And let’s say this clearly once again: peace without freedom is not peace – it is only silence, it is oppression, and it is always temporary,” – said Zurabishvili.

In her assessment, it is not only Georgia that needs the European Union, but Europe also needs Georgia, because “a strong and democratic Georgia is a smart investment in Europe’s peace, prosperity, and long-term security.”

“Supporting Georgia’s European path is not just about values – it means regional resilience, economic stability, and protection of Europe’s eastern border from authoritarian influence, especially now, as Russia is becoming more active in the Black Sea and is already building a new naval base in occupied Abkhazia.

That is why a strong and democratic Georgia is a wise investment in Europe’s peace, prosperity, and long-term security. Sometimes Europe as a whole does not fully grasp this, but those member states that share past experiences and understand today’s threats do. That’s why I ask you to be Georgia’s voice in the European Union – become Georgia’s voice so that these threats are properly recognized. Because what we have experienced, what is happening today – election manipulation, puppet governments, and Russia-inspired measures – could tomorrow become a threat to any other European country,” – she said.