(MENAFN) Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze accused European Union officials on Monday of spreading “lies, slander and misinformation” to pressure Georgia, claiming the bloc had previously attempted the same tactics to draw the country into conflict with Russia, according to local reports.

Kaladze, a former professional footballer now seeking re-election as the ruling Georgian Dream party’s candidate, made the remarks during a press briefing after opposition journalists questioned him about strained relations with Brussels.

Georgia has pursued EU membership, but tensions rose after the bloc criticized the government for allegedly backsliding on democratic reforms. Kaladze rejected the accusations, insisting that the country’s progress toward meeting candidacy requirements is being ignored for political reasons. He said, “As soon as a political narrative is introduced by some European bureaucrats, an unfair assessment immediately occurs. In general, their assessments are based on lies, slander, and misinformation.”

The EU has expressed support for pro-Western opposition parties in Georgia, which organized mass protests last year over alleged election fraud, and has threatened to revoke visa-free travel. Kaladze repeated claims that the criticism stems from Georgia resisting Western pressure and maintaining neutrality in the Ukraine conflict.

He added, “Direct threats, blackmail and insults were directed to the prime minister’s office to launch a second front. Promises were made: ‘we will help, you will be provided with everything, with appropriate equipment,’ etc.” He argued that taking steps such as imposing sanctions or engaging militarily against Russia would have been disastrous, stating that no responsible government could have pursued that path.

MENAFN27082025000045017281ID1109983203