Responding to journalists’ questions about the UK’s decision to include three Georgian companies on its sanctions list targeting Russia, Papuashvili said that investigations are already underway in Georgia and that some individuals have been detained.

“It is precisely because our investigative bodies identified them that the United Kingdom was able to do so. You have also seen the statement of the National Bank regarding these three organizations. They were operating in violation of National Bank regulations and Georgian legislation, which was reported to the relevant law enforcement agencies. An investigation is ongoing, and a person has already been detained,” Papuashvili said.

He added that the UK sanctions align with findings already made by Georgian authorities.

“In September 2025, the National Bank became aware of this. Then law enforcement agencies were informed. They are being held accountable for violations of Georgian law. At the same time, as the UK has also determined, these actions were in violation of sanctions. In addition, more than 2,000 transactions were blocked by Georgia, including some originating from Europe, involving cargo shipments and other operations connected to sanctioned companies, goods, or recipients. Georgia turned out to be the final barrier that stopped goods diverted from Europe,” he said.

Papuashvili emphasized that Georgia is, in his view, acting in good faith in enforcing international sanctions compliance.

“This fact confirms that Georgia is fulfilling its promise in good faith not to become a place where international sanctions are bypassed. This is also evidence of that. It has become clear that when the UK makes fair decisions, Georgian decisions align with them. Therefore, in the future, one should assess whether UK decisions align with Georgian government decisions. Where they coincide, they are fair; where they do not, they are unfair,” he concluded.