Opposition politician Dimitri Tskitishvili said in an interview with PalitraNews’ “Day's Newsroom” that the ruling party’s foreign policy actions are aimed at creating an illusion of progress while avoiding real change.

According to him, Georgia’s relations with the United States require credible behavioral change from the government, especially in light of recent remarks by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio regarding Georgia.

Tskitishvili said that strategic relations require a stable and trustworthy partner:

“It is clear that all political steps taken so far in foreign policy contradict the established interests in bilateral relations. Therefore, the demand that behavior must change is one of the key foundations for rebuilding future relations.”

He argued that the ruling party has undermined Georgia’s traditional foreign policy course and must demonstrate reliability if it wants to restore trust.

“A strategic relationship requires a stable and reliable partnership built over years. What the ‘Georgian Dream’ has damaged and broken is questionable whether it can even be rebuilt - and even if it can, it will take years and proof that your policy is consistent and predictable.”

Tskitishvili also claimed that Georgia’s room for maneuver in foreign policy is now limited, and that the government is trying to manage competing obligations.

“The space for the Georgian Dream in foreign policy is now very limited. Relations with Iran are not just diplomatic - it appears there are very significant obligations that cannot be easily отказed from. Ditching them is not simple.

The same applies to Russia - it is also clear there are obligations reflected in financial flows created during the war period. Russia does not pay money for nothing. These obligations exist, and no one can escape them.”

He further argued that the government is attempting to balance relations with the West while maintaining ties with other actors, calling this approach a “simulation.”

“The Georgian Dream will try to involve all sides in some process - to show that steps are being taken, but in reality it will be a simulation. These simulated steps are doomed to fail.”

Tskitishvili added that the government may use shifting rhetoric to buy time and avoid responsibility.

“They may soften their rhetoric, but they will remain on the same line - trying to gain time and present the appearance of ongoing processes.”

He also claimed that the government will not meet Western expectations regarding certain political demands, including prisoner-related issues, and will shift responsibility elsewhere.

On opposition strategy and elections, Tskitishvili said that despite a difficult electoral environment, elections remain a key tool for political mobilization and should not be dismissed.

He concluded that international partners should demand concrete guarantees from the government to prevent manipulation and delays in reforms.