Lauge Risom Koch 
Georgia’s parliament speaker has accused the European Union of effectively demanding that Tbilisi sanction Russia in order to preserve visa-free travel. The remarks come as Brussels increases pressure over democratic reforms and introduces new mechanisms that could suspend visa-free access for countries seen as backsliding on EU standards.
Georgia’s parliament speaker has accused the European Union of effectively demanding that Tbilisi impose sanctions on Russia if it wants to preserve visa-free travel with the bloc.
The remarks come amid growing tensions between Georgia and the EU over democratic standards, reforms and the country’s foreign policy direction.
Visa dispute
According to Kyiv Post, Georgian Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili claimed Brussels was linking visa-free travel to Georgia’s stance toward Russia.
“They tell us that if we want visa-free travel, we must impose sanctions on Russia – in other words, commit suicide. If we destroy ourselves, who will travel to the EU without visas?” Papuashvili said.
He also alleged that the EU is pressuring Georgia to bring its visa policies fully into line with European standards.
The comments reflect a widening disagreement between Tbilisi and Brussels over Georgia’s relationship with Russia.
New EU mechanism
According to Kyiv Post, the dispute comes after the EU introduced new rules allowing the suspension of visa-free travel for countries deemed to be backsliding on democratic commitments.
The mechanism, which entered into force on December 30, 2025, enables Brussels to initially target holders of diplomatic and service passports before potentially expanding restrictions to all citizens.
EU officials have argued that the measure is designed to encourage compliance with democratic and governance standards among partner countries.
Growing tensions
Relations between Georgia and the European Union have deteriorated significantly in recent years.
According to Kyiv Post, the European Commission reported last November that Georgia had fallen behind on reforms expected of EU candidate countries.
The report cited concerns including restrictions on civic freedoms, pressure on independent media, treatment of LGBTQ+ communities, excessive use of force by police and increasingly hostile rhetoric toward the EU.
Those findings intensified debates over Georgia’s future relationship with Brussels.
EU ambitions remain
Following the Commission’s assessment, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas warned that Georgia’s accession process had effectively stalled and that candidate status risked becoming largely symbolic unless reforms resumed.
Despite the criticism, Georgian President Mikheil Kavelashvili has maintained that the country can still achieve its European ambitions.
In an interview with Deutsche Welle cited by Kyiv Post, Kavelashvili said he believes Georgia could be ready to join the European Union by 2030.
Sources: Kyiv Post, European Commission, Deutsche Welle
