It was not appropriate to include a specific strategic object in the sanctions package - this pleased Mikheil Saakashvili, he expressed hope that Kulevi would be sanctioned, however, what pleases Saakashvili does not please the Georgian people, - Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze stated.

According to him, the European Commission was provided with full information regarding Kulevi, which confirms that the sanctions regime is not being violated.

"We provided the European Commission with full information regarding Kulevi, and this information confirms that the sanctions regime is not being violated in Kulevi. This is unmistakable information that we have shared with the European Union. Therefore, we hope that Kulevi will not be included in the sanctions package. We have sent the relevant information to the European Commission, let's wait for the European Commission's decision. Logically, based on the fact that there are zero facts regarding the violation of the sanctions regime, I think that it will not be included [in the sanctions package], let's wait for the European Commission's position. Of course, it is not appropriate to include a specific strategic object in the sanctions package, Mikheil Saakashvili was happy about this, he expressed hope that Kulevi will be sanctioned, however, what makes Saakashvili happy, does not make the Georgian people happy. It is one of the strategic objects and it is definitely not good to be included in the sanctions package. Exports have increased in Kulevi, but the sanctions regime is not violated. Oil products are imported, processed and exported, but the sanctions regime is not violated,” the Prime Minister said.

The third President of Georgia, Mikheil Saakashvili, wrote on Facebook that he “strongly supports the sanctioning of the Kulevi port.” According to Saakashvili, this is a fraudulent operation that serves the joint interests of Russia and Ivanishvili and finances the war against Ukraine.