FNF&Guest - Zelensky sanctions Georgian authorities

Ukraine has sanctioned the government of another former Soviet republic, Georgia, which Vladimir Zelensky has accused of “surrendering” the country to Russia.

Georgia has been gripped by protests since late October, when the pro-Western opposition refused to recognize the results of a parliamentary election in which the ruling Georgian Dream party achieved a convincing victory.

The rallies turned violent last week after the government announced that it would suspend accession talks with the EU, citing “constant blackmail and manipulation” of Georgian domestic politics by Brussels. There have also been multiple instances of rioters clashing with police in Tbilisi, resulting in several hundred people being detained.

In a video address on Thursday, Zelensky said he had signed a decree to place restrictions on the leader of the ruling Georgian Dream party, Bidzina Ivanishvili, and 19 other Georgian officials.

“These sanctions target the part of the Georgian government that is surrendering Georgia to Putin. This is the very issue that is fueling the protests in Georgia right now,” the Ukrainian leader claimed.