According to Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze, Bidzina Ivanishvili, the honorary chairman of “Georgian Dream,” is not afraid of either formal or informal sanctions.

He made this statement to journalists in response to a comment by France’s Minister for European Affairs, Benjamin Haddad, regarding the imposition of sanctions.

“Everyone clearly saw that Bidzina Ivanishvili is not afraid of sanctions. Informal sanctions were already imposed on him when two billion was frozen in an absolutely predatory and shameful manner. When we talk about Europe, is this behavior befitting Europe? When, without any justification, through a commercial bank, they freeze two billion belonging to a specific individual—especially a person who held a high political office and still holds a high political office—this is, of course, conduct unbecoming of Europe. Thirty or forty years ago, we could not have imagined such actions from Europe. Unfortunately, Europe has been brought to this point, and this is, of course, the result of the activities and influence of the ‘deep state.’ This situation is tragic, naturally. Bidzina Ivanishvili is not afraid of either formal or informal sanctions. They come out and speak in the language of blackmail. This will have no effect whatsoever,” Kobakhidze stated.