Yet another Russian provocative statement! What is the purpose of this provocation? On the one hand, it might serve to conceal their failure in Bakhmut, I don't know how to describe it, but this might have served to cover up where they are unable to demonstrate strength.

It might also have been a response to the new, eleventh package of sanctions announced by the European Union yesterday. It can be many things, but most importantly for us, this is a provocation aimed at directly challenging our society and placing a significant challenge in front of our government. Undoubtedly, this will create tension between political parties, but I am confident that it will not lead to tension within society, but rather a strong reaction. Our society understands very well that Russia takes such actions in pursuit of its own interests. Unfortunately, our government has yet to comprehend and consider our history and the countless examples of how Russia never responds to concessions from the government with concessions, but rather with actions that make the situation more challenging. This has been its consistent behavior, and I believe the government should take this into account.

I have already expressed my position on Twitter. I believe that this is a completely unacceptable and inappropriate time - we do not need visa removals, nor do we need to resume flights. As long as Russia remains the aggressor in the eyes of the world and the occupier of our territories, such gestures are untimely and unacceptable!

I call on the government to clearly state its position. As I have repeatedly requested, it is time for the National Security Council to convene publicly and discuss the three-month visa imposition that we need, even considering the internal challenges. There is a need for increased government control over Russians who enter and stay in the country. Measures must be taken to ensure that everything falls within a normal, civilized framework.

We are a very tolerant country, we accept everyone, and this has been demonstarted last year, but there are some things that cannot happen in the country: Russian-language kindergartens cannot be opened, where teaching the Georgian language will not be mandatory. Some measures need to be implemented in various professions. What are the requirements for individuals in these professions? This means licensing even for taxi drivers, tour guides, and many other professions. This will serve to protect our society and will be the appropriate response to today’s provocation.

We do not need gifts from Russia, disguised as concessions. In the current situation, we stand alongside all our European friends. This is about protecting Georgia's honor by avoiding any kind of relationship with Russia that would complicate matters for us, even in terms of accusations of circumventing sanctions.

I confirm that there is no such threat from Georgia today, but we should not create a situation that will intensify these accusations that will make it harder for us to defend ourselves against them. Therefore, I once again urge the government to listen to the voice of the people, not just to the ‘power of the people’!

I am certain that people are united on this issue, not only because it represents yet another decision that might jeopardize the granting of candidate status, but because it goes against Georgia’s interests and its honor. We must know where our country, with its occupied territories and its solidarity with friendly Ukraine, stands.

This is our position and we must remain loyal to the end. This is the request of our society. I am certain that if events develop differently, which I hope it will not, the society will also have its own response to it.