Zelenskyy signs decree imposing sanctions on 19 Georgian officials

By Burc Eruygur

ISTANBUL (AA) - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Thursday imposed sanctions on 19 members of the Georgian government including the premier.

“I have just signed a decree that gives effect to the National Security and Defense Council's decision on sanctions,” Zelenskyy said during a video address, expressing that the sanctions concerned are against the part of the Georgian government which, he claimed, is “surrendering Georgia to (Russian President Vladimir) Putin.”

The Ukrainian president said he imposed sanctions on 19 members of the government, including Bidzina Ivanishvili, the honorary chairman of Georgia’s ruling Georgian Dream party. The decree published on the Ukrainian presidential office's website also includes Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze.

“This is how it works in international affairs: if you do not respond in time or fail to respond with principle, then decades are lost, and countries are robbed of their freedom,” Zelenskyy said.

Zelenskyy’s announcement came a day after he said Kyiv is developing a “legal response” to the ongoing developments in Georgia, as well as working with European and other partners of Ukraine on concrete actions.

He accused Georgian authorities of pushing the country into "clear dependence on Russia."

Georgian authorities have not yet responded to Ukraine's sanctions.

The sanctions came as pro-EU protests continue across the country, including the capital Tbilisi, against Kobakhidze's announcement on Nov. 28 that Georgia will suspend EU accession talks until 2028.

Since the start of the protests, more than 290 people have been arrested and over 150 police officers injured, according to the Interior Ministry.