Following Russia`s occupation of Georgian territories in 2008 and its recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia as independent states, the United National Movement not only refrained from pursuing a tougher policy toward Russia, but shortly after the war, the regime`s leader personally welcomed Russian citizens at the border and invited them to travel to and do business in Georgia. The Prime Minister of Georgia wrote on his social media message.

"During the same period, we witnessed the regime`s active efforts to deepen cultural and humanitarian ties with Russia, encourage Russian investment in various sectors of Georgia`s economy, including strategic sectors, and, several years later, unilaterally abolish visa requirements for Russian citizens.

Everyone remembers how today’s leading `Russophobes` - Elene Khoshtaria, Zurab Japaridze, Misha Mshvildadze and others - welcomed Russian tourists, Russian money, which at the time ‘had no smell’, and the deepening of trade, economic and cultural relations with Russia.

This all happened after Russia had already recognised Abkhazia and South Ossetia as independent states and diplomatic relations between Georgia and Russia had been severed.

The fact is that these political forces, the NGOs associated with them, and their active supporters, who have formed a unified radical force as a foreign-controlled agent network, were not concerned by anti-Russian aggression between 2008 and 2012.

Georgia`s agent network developed a radical anti-Russian stance only after Russia`s second invasion of Ukraine. It is clear that the so-called Global War Party needed the current conflict to expand in order to involve Europe in the war and fuel Russophobia within its network worldwide, including in Georgia", - writes Irakli Kobakhidze.