Georgian Prime Minister Accuses Protesters of Attempting Revolution Amid EU Negotiations Suspension

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze accused certain groups on Friday of attempting to provoke a revolution through violent protests over the government’s decision to suspend EU accession talks for four years, Anadolu Agency

Speaking at a news conference in Tbilisi, Kobakhidze stated, "No one can undermine the strength of our state through blackmail." He linked the protests to attempts to emulate Ukraine’s 2014 Maidan uprising and claimed opposition forces had tried to spark revolutions four times in the past four years.

Defending the government’s commitment to EU integration, Kobakhidze reaffirmed plans for Georgia to join the bloc by 2030. He criticized EU officials for delaying negotiations, saying, "Let them open the negotiations, and I will sign them today."

The decision to halt the talks has drawn sharp criticism, particularly from President Salome Zourabichvili, who demanded Kobakhidze’s resignation. In response, he labeled her a "foreign agent." Zourabichvili took to social media to condemn the detention of protesters, describing the situation as “terror in Georgia.”

The protests, which began after Kobakhidze announced the suspension of EU talks on November 28, have gained support from artists and politicians, many of whom have staged strikes. Demonstrations are expected to continue into the night.