Georgia Rules Out Ukraine-Style Maidan Uprising

Georgia Faces EU Backlash After Pausing Membership Talks Amid Protests

Georgia’s Prime Minister, Irakli Kobakhidze, has forcefully rejected comparisons to Ukraine’s 2014 Maidan protests, asserting that the nation will resist any attempt to destabilize the country through similar uprisings. This statement follows a wave of demonstrations sparked by the unexpected suspension of Georgia’s EU accession negotiations.

Kobakhidze’s ruling Georgian Dream party stunned the nation on Thursday by announcing a four-year pause in talks with the European Union, alleging pressure tactics from Brussels. The move has enraged many Georgians, who overwhelmingly support EU membership, a goal enshrined in the nation’s constitution.

Protests have erupted in Tbilisi, with demonstrators clashing with riot police. Images circulating online show barricades erected along the city’s central Rustaveli Boulevard, while fiery projectiles arc through the air. Police responded with water cannons and tear gas, leading to the arrest of 107 individuals. Further demonstrations are anticipated.

The prime minister has directly accused the opposition of orchestrating the unrest, suggesting they aim to mimic the events of the Maidan revolution which toppled Ukraine’s pro-Russian president. Kobakhidze stated, "“In Georgia, Maidana’s position cannot be implemented. Georgia is a country, and of course this country will not allow," emphasizing a firm stance against any revolutionary overthrow.

This latest development has profound implications for Georgia and its aspirations to join the European Union. The move has sparked heated debate about the future of the nation’s relationship with the West, with many questioning the Georgian Dream party’s commitment to European integration.

As tensions escalate in Tbilisi, the international community watches closely. The EU’s response to this unexpected turn of events and its implications for Georgia’s future remain unclear at this time.

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