Chairman of the Georgian Dream made a statement regarding an audio recording allegedly involving Bidzina Ivanishvili and Vladimir Yevtushenkov, the Russian oligarch and the founder of Sistemas.

“Nobody knows whether it is authentic or not. Even if it was authentic, there is nothing. We are talking about trade relations. You know that Georgia has officially stated its position on this, Georgia maintains trade relations with the Russian Federation. The product is being exported and imported, this is our stated position, it is not against any law and we do not contradict any other principles. In addition, the product is imported for local consumption only.

Let me remind you that Ukraine also maintains certain trade relations with the Russian Federation, receiving gas from Russia, including for its own consumption, and then transiting this gas to EU countries. Therefore, the fact that Georgia maintains trade relations is neither illegal nor immoral, especially in the conditions when Ukraine maintains it”, - said Irakli Kobakhidze.