The new narrative claiming that the Georgian people are Russophobic is a Russian narrative prepared in the Kremlin—one that, unfortunately, Kobakhidze has been propagating within Georgian society for years. We call on Kobakhidze and other leaders aligned with Ivanishvili to cease undermining Georgia's national interests and to act in accordance with the interests of the Georgian people, - this statement was made by Levan Bezhashvili, a leader of the National Movement.

According to Bezhashvili, Georgia's history over the last 30 years demonstrates that the choice made by Georgia and the Georgian people has never been the hostile attitude that the Russian Federation holds toward the Georgian state. Numerous wars, disregarded agreements, the neglect of Georgia’s national interests, and targeted assassinations—here, I recall the hunt for the special forces operatives involved in the Kodori operation on Georgian soil, and it is deeply regrettable that Georgian Dream and Georgian special services participated in all of this; therefore, this is not our choice. The fact that the Russian authorities have recognized Abkhazia as an independent state, that the Georgian people have endured a full-scale war over these years, and that Russia attacked Georgia in 2008—initiating the war and creating the current situation—was never Georgia's choice. Kobakhidze should not, therefore, accuse the Georgian people of Russophobia or hatred toward anyone. The Georgian people know very well whom to regard as an enemy and with whom to forge a friendship. These accusations—this new narrative emanating from the Kremlin claiming that the Georgian people are Russophobic—are a Russian narrative prepared in the Kremlin, which Kobakhidze has unfortunately been echoing within Georgian society for years. We call upon Kobakhidze and other leaders associated with Ivanishvili to stop undermining Georgia's national interests, to act in accordance with the interests of the Georgian people, and to refrain from voicing the interests and narratives of Putin and Russia within Georgia," stated Bezhashvili.

For context, Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze spoke about so-called "Russophobia" while appearing on the "Rustavi 2" channel. Kobakhidze believes that when discussing Russophobia, a distinction must be made between political issues—specifically, relations between states—and relations between nations. "Another issue is the relationship between nations—specifically, a neighboring country that isn't going anywhere, and the neighboring people who will always be here. Politics may fluctuate, but the people will always remain where they are; we will always be neighbors—barring some global climatic cataclysm or the like (half-jokingly, of course). This is simply the reality. As for attitudes toward a nation—the fact that we even have to seriously discuss the idea that one nation might be 'bad' while another is 'good'—I fail to see what could be more absurd when we are talking about a healthy society," said Kobakhidze.