“I am certain that Georgian Dream is testing the issue of neutrality, the issue of Russian bases in Georgia - these topics - and if it works for them, they will of course continue serving Russia’s interests and steer decisions in that direction,” - said Tazo Datunashvili, one of the leaders of Lelo – Strong Georgia, speaking to journalists about the statements made by Mikheil Kavelashvili and the Russian Foreign Ministry regarding the resumption of political dialogue between Russia and Georgia.

According to him, among some of Georgian Dream’s propagandists, an idea is being “cooked up” that Georgia should declare neutrality and allow Russian bases to be deployed in Akhaltsikhe and Gonio.

“I don’t believe Kavelashvili was threatened. I would at least have to consider him a ‘tough guy’ to believe that. Beyond this claim of his, every action and step taken by Georgian Dream, especially since 2022 - absolutely everything - very clearly indicates that Ivanishvili is serving the interests of a hostile state, Russia. As for what the next steps might be and where Georgian Dream could go - a very good example is, on one hand, the statements we are hearing very actively from Russia. On the other hand, in the second-tier propaganda - among the lowest layer of Georgian Dream propagandists like Nana Kakabadze and others - an idea is being brewed that Georgia should declare neutrality and that Russian military bases should be placed in Akhaltsikhe and Gonio. They’ve even brought out people like Jondi Bagaturia and the darkest dwellers of the political basement to justify these claims. Therefore, I am absolutely convinced that Georgian Dream is testing this - the neutrality issue, the bases issue - they are testing these topics, and if it works for them, they will of course continue serving Russia’s interests and will direct decisions in that direction. But it’s still early to talk about concrete steps - they are still in the testing phase, and I have a much higher opinion of the Georgian people than Ivanishvili does,” Datunashvili said.

For reference, the Russian Foreign Ministry stated that official Moscow does not currently see conditions for resuming political dialogue with Georgia. Meanwhile, Deutsche Welle published an interview with Mikheil Kavelashvili in which he said: “There is no fact that would confirm that Georgia has any kind of connection with the Russian government.”