Russia: Georgians should learn a lesson from Ukraine

Dmitry Polyanskiy, Russia's Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, criticized the foreign ministers of Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, and Iceland for participating in the ongoing protests in Georgia. Polyanskiy stated, "We all remember a similar picture unfolding in Ukraine, and we know how it ended and how Ukraine's interests were trampled upon."

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Russia: Georgians should learn a lesson from Ukraine

The 'Transparency of Foreign Influence' law was passed by a majority vote in the Georgian parliament on May 14.

The law, which aims to protect non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in the country from the influence of foreign countries and organizations, was protested by pro-European Union (EU) demonstrators in the capital, Tbilisi.

Regarding the law, which has been highly debated in the country's politics in recent days, the EU had warned the government with the statement, "The final adoption of this law will negatively affect Georgia's progress on the EU path. This law is not compatible with the EU's core norms and values."

Georgian Prime Minister Kobakhidze, in his statement, underlined the sentence, "No one will be able to prevent Georgia from defending its national interests from the outside."

The 'Transparency of Foreign Influence' law was approved in parliament on May 14.

The foreign ministers of Latvia, Estonia, Iceland, and Lithuania participated in the ongoing protest demonstration against the "Transparency of Foreign Influence" law in Georgia's capital, Tbilisi.

Dmitry Polyanskiy, Russia's Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, commented on a video on his social media platform X account showing the foreign ministers of Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, and Iceland participating in the protests in Tbilisi.

POINTED TO UKRAINE AS AN EXAMPLE

Polyanskiy stated, “There is nothing extraordinary. Foreign (US) agents are leading demonstrations abroad against the Foreign Agents Law. We all remember a similar picture unfolding in Ukraine, and we know how it ended and how Ukraine's interests were trampled upon. I hope the Georgians have learned their lesson.”

WHAT DOES THE LAW ENTAIL?

The 'Transparency of Foreign Influence' bill, which is being evaluated in the Georgian parliament, stipulates that if 20 percent of their annual income is provided by foreign funds, non-governmental organizations and mass media outlets must be registered in the registry of organizations pursuing the interests of a foreign power, and mandates that these organizations must fill out a declaration once a year.

Opponents and some NGO representatives who oppose the adoption of the 'Transparency of Foreign Influence' bill argue that the bill in question equates Georgia's friends and enemies, even labels them, and additionally hinders the country's integration into the EU.

News Source: 12punto