Greetings!

I would like to greet our society and acknowledge the emotions and moods people are experiencing today, because I, too, share in those feelings. We are all going through this together. Today marks a significant point, or rather, the conclusion of the constitutional coup that has been unfolding for several weeks, or perhaps months. Today, the course that began months ago, leading us from Europe toward Russia, has come to an end. For those who still had doubts, thinking there might be another explanation, those doubts were dispelled today.

Today, this non-existent and illegitimate government declared not peace, but war on its own people, its own past, and its own future. This war is on our future, the future of our society, and the future of our country. Because on this path, there is no Georgian statehood, no independence, and no future—except in Russia.

Today, I met with the diplomatic corps and told them the same thing. I told them that they had been late in their assessments, expecting something to prove itself, perhaps hoping that there was still something to demonstrate. But there is nothing more to prove, and I told them this once again - Everything is proven, everything is clear, and if anyone still does not see it, Putin’s statement expressing satisfaction with the situation and praising the government for its obedience serves as proof of what is happening. I addressed them and asked them to make all the decisions that should have been made long ago and to help us with the only demand from our people and society: to call for new elections and ensure they are held. This is our way forward, and this is what we are fighting for.

That is why I invited political parties and different movements, those who managed to gather here today. I know that many NGOs are organizing street protests, and people are coming out spontaneously. I addressed the political parties today and told them that now is not the time for individual opinions, individual visions, and individual desires—those days are over. Today, faced with this challenge, we must either stand together, or we will fall apart. Our responsibility is collective. And I will stand with them and with you as long as they remain united and make coordinated decisions. No one is asking the political parties to suddenly become one party—God forbid! We do not want a one-party system, and we will ultimately move away from that. But today, we need sensible, coordinated decisions. This is a resistance movement, and I will remain the president until the end. Today, I am the only legitimate institution in this country, the only legitimate representative of this nation, the only one who has the right to speak on behalf of our society to the world. I will do that, and I will remain here, standing with you and with the people until the very end.

Now, I want to address the public servants: the time has come for you to make a decision. It’s time to think about what kind of future you are leaving for your children. Think about the reputation you will leave for them, what they will think tomorrow and in the days to come as they live in the world you have created. I understand how difficult it is in this country, how challenging the conditions are in what is presented as an economically growing nation, while we know the reality of people’s living conditions. But dignity is more important. The country, the homeland, is more important.

I want to address the ambassadors. I already addressed you once - what are you doing today?! Who do you serve? What are you serving? Where are you? Do you realize the absurdity in which you live, while it is not difficult for you? You have savings, you have everything. Think carefully: which country do you want to serve—Russia?! Tomorrow, Russia will be here unless we all raise our voices.

I want to address the police, the true police—the police that serves the state. Without the state, you are nothing. Your duty in this state is to protect citizens, not slaves, not Russians, not foreigners, not traitors. So, take responsibility for what is yours to decide.

I want to address the Georgian army, especially those in the army that feels the deepest pain today. Although they cannot take action, nor are they expected to, they are the ones who suffer the most because this country is returning to the Russia we barely escaped from, when we fought to prove our independence. The portraits of our national heroes hang in this building, and this we achieved. It will stay here, and no one can remove it—just as no one can take our independence from us.

I address everyone who is at home today, those who have joined the protests: do not lose hope. No one should dare suppress today’s protest. How this protest will unfold in the coming days will be decided by society and all of us united.

No compromise, no surrender, resistance, and I will remain loyal to this until the end, just as you will be loyal until the end.

Thank you very much!