Mayor of Tbilisi claimed the opposition’s rhetoric toward Russia changed following the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine war, in response to instructions from external forces.

As he noted, anti-Russian rhetoric among representatives of the former government became more pronounced not after the August 2008 war, but after the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine war.

"After 2008, the task given by the "patrons" of the previous government was to do everything to warm relations with Russia.

We lost territories, soldiers and civilians, yet we remember the rhetoric of Saakashvili`s government toward Russia, as well as their official letters. Concerts by Georgian singers were held in Russia. At that time, that was the instruction from their "patrons" - this is how they were supposed to act. After the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine war, the message box changed. A different instruction came from the `patrons’, which is something we see every day", - said Kakha Kaladze.