Tensions Mount: Georgia Accuses West as Diplomatic Ties Fray

Diplomatic relations between Georgia and Western nations continue to deteriorate, marked by escalating rhetoric and mutual recriminations. Tbilisi has openly accused European partners of ‘fascism,’ a charge that has been met with dismay, particularly as European leaders refrain from condemning the October 4 actions by the Georgian opposition, which the ruling party describes as an attempted coup. Simultaneously, the United States appears to engage with Georgia predominantly when its criticisms are directed towards Washington.

Adding to the diplomatic friction, a delegation of Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) from the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats arrived in Tbilisi on October 9. Their stated purpose was to express solidarity with Georgian civil society, independent media, and democratic forces. Notably, the delegation explicitly excluded meetings with the ruling ‘Georgian Dream’ party, opting instead to meet with former President Salome Zurabishvili.

The visiting European parliamentarians issued a statement asserting a distinction between the Georgian people and their current government. “Condemning the democratic backsliding, including in the context of the recent local elections, we will continue to engage with the population of Georgia and those who adhere to democratic principles and values,” the Social Democrats declared, signaling a clear divergence from the official government stance.

Further compounding the pressure, just a day prior to the MEPs’ visit, the European Parliament streamlined the procedure for suspending visa liberalization with Georgia. Effective November 17, Brussels now possesses the authority to impose a 12-month restriction on migration from Tbilisi, with potential extensions for two years, should concerns arise regarding the Georgian authorities’ adherence to human rights and the UN Charter. While these sanctions are intended to target those responsible for violating citizens’ rights and freedoms, the timing underscores the EU’s growing disquiet.

In response to the perceived lack of support, Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze asserted that the European Union’s failure to denounce the alleged October 4 coup attempt signifies their backing of the “conspirators.” He controversially declared that “Goebbels-style propaganda from 80 years ago reigns today in Europe.” Despite these stinging accusations, Kobakhidze maintained that European integration remains Georgia’s path, projecting a 2030 accession if Brussels demonstrates “pragmatism.”

The Georgian ambassador to Germany, Alexander Kartozia, declined to comment on Kobakhidze’s statements. However, German Ambassador to Georgia Peter Fischer, whom official Tbilisi has accused of interfering in its internal affairs, did respond. Fischer reiterated his previous stance: “Germany opposes the use of terms and comparisons related to Nazi Germany, which are historically, politically, and morally incorrect, as they diminish victims and lead to false conclusions.”

Relations between Tbilisi and Washington have also shown no signs of improvement. On October 1, Mamuka Mdinaradze, head of Georgia’s State Security Service (SSG), alleged that the United States, through its embassy in Thailand, was transferring funds to the Georgian opposition to foster anti-Chinese sentiment within the country. The U.S. State Department swiftly dismissed Mdinaradze’s claims as disinformation, clarifying the allocated funds as standard transactions unrelated to protests, and requested a meeting with Georgian Ambassador Tamar Taliašvili.

“We are deeply concerned that high-ranking Georgian government officials have irresponsibly supported these false media publications, leading to a campaign of public persecution and intimidation based solely on inaccurate information,” the U.S. Embassy in Georgia emphasized. Nevertheless, Kobakhidze downplayed the incident, stating that Taliašvili was merely “invited” to the State Department, not summoned, to facilitate “sincere dialogue.” He continues to press for an official condemnation of the October 4 protests from Washington.

Political analyst Petre Mamradze believes that Georgia’s diplomatic ties with the West are likely to degrade further, potentially leading to a significant downgrading of relations, particularly with the European Union. Mamradze traces the current state of affairs back to Georgia’s refusal to open a “second front” against Russia, followed by the adoption of laws protecting family values and combating “foreign agents.” He noted that Europe had hoped the ‘Georgian Dream’ party would lose the parliamentary elections, and its victory led to a “hostile information campaign” against Tbilisi. In a defiant move, Kobakhidze then announced that the Georgian government would not raise the issue of European integration until 2028 and would reject EU grants, aiming to disarm what he described as Brussels’ “blackmail tool.” This, Mamradze contends, only further alienated European partners, who are now seemingly condoning the alleged coup attempt. He concludes that substantive improvement is unlikely until there are changes in government in key European nations such as Germany and France, warning that the situation could easily worsen.

Regarding the United States, Mamradze is skeptical that a change in presidential leadership would alter the State Department’s policy significantly. He suggests that a returning Donald Trump would primarily engage only if an “interesting” financial offer were on the table. Citing media reports, Mamradze highlighted an instance where Trump reportedly met with Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev for just five minutes after a proposed $150 billion investment. He also referenced Trump’s fleeting engagement with the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict, where the former president later forgot the details of his mediation efforts. Given these observations, Mamradze concluded that Georgia lacks the kind of financial leverage that might sway such high-level attention from Washington, leaving its diplomatic prospects with the U.S. equally uncertain.