Kakha Kaladze on Kaja Kallas' statement – This is all part of the blackmail we’ve been witnessing in recent years; We are in defense mode against slanderous statements; It’s very difficult when someone tells you that white is black

“This is all part of the blackmail we have been witnessing in recent years,” said Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze, commenting on the statement by Kaja Kallas, the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, who noted that all options are on the table regarding Georgia, including the termination of the visa-free regime.

According to Kaladze, “when it comes to the country’s interests, compromise is unthinkable.”

“What can I say? We all saw the content—so many lies, so much falsehood is unimaginable. Of course, this is all part of the blackmail we have been seeing in recent years, especially since the Russia-Ukraine war broke out. Georgia did not comply with their demands, did not join the sanctions, and did not allow the opening of a ‘second front’ in the country. They were defeated in the October parliamentary elections, and they are resorting to all sorts of unacceptable actions, which we hear in the form of these statements. However, when it comes to the country and its interests, compromise is, of course, unthinkable,” Kaladze stated.

Regarding the policy of “Georgian Dream,” Kaladze said that the government’s policy is very simple—they protect the country and its interests.

“We are not fighting anyone. It’s unthinkable that we would fight Europe, Britain, or the U.S.—that’s madness, unimaginable. We are simply defending ourselves. It is highly offensive when there are calls, when a representative of one country comes to the Prime Minister’s office and engages in very rude discussions about opening a ‘second front’ in the country, promising that the country would be provided with appropriate equipment... I don’t want to delve into this topic. I repeat once again: we are defending our country’s interests; we are not fighting anyone,” Kaladze stated.

According to the Tbilisi Mayor, the ruling team is in a defensive mode, not an offensive one.

“Where have you seen us attacking anyone? We are in a defensive mode. The Georgian state is currently in a defensive mode. We are defending ourselves against the unjust, slanderous statements coming from the West. It’s very painful when they call white black; it’s very painful when there are double standards regarding your country. For me, my teammates, and I am sure for the majority of our country’s population, Europe and European values are very dear and important, but today’s European bureaucracy is devoid of the values that are precious to the Georgian people,” Kaladze stated.