Georgia Navigates Geopolitical Tensions, Domestic Unrest, and Economic Shifts
Today's news in Georgia was heavily influenced by international geopolitical developments, particularly concerning the Ukraine-Russia conflict and proposed peace plans. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky voiced the difficult choice facing his nation: either losing dignity or risking the loss of a key international partner. This comes amidst reports from Reuters suggesting the United States is pressuring Kyiv to accept a peace agreement, even threatening to cut intelligence and weapons supplies. Russian President Vladimir Putin, conversely, warned that if Kyiv rejects Trump's proposals, the conflict could escalate on other fronts. European leaders, including Germany's Friedrich Merz and Estonia's Kaja Kallas, reiterated support for Ukraine, while emphasizing that any peace plan must not disproportionately penalize the victim.
Domestically, political tensions continued to manifest through ongoing protests and legal actions. Several activists were detained during rallies, receiving fines or administrative imprisonment, including Ketevan Khuskivadze and Nino Bardzimashvili. The planned abolition of the Anti-Corruption Bureau by March 2, 2026, drew criticism from figures like Roman Gotsiridze, who questioned its independence. Discussions around changes to the electoral code, potentially impacting voting rights for Georgian citizens abroad, were met with disapproval from President Salome Zourabichvili. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze dismissed the "Arabization" narrative surrounding the Eagle Hills project, clarifying that the foreign company anticipates 60% of sales to international buyers.
The Georgian economy presented a mixed picture. Tbilisi's real estate market showed significant activity, with 4,178 residential apartments sold in October 2025, marking a 9% year-on-year increase. However, the country's transit corridor saw a decrease in truck traffic, leading to a 7.5 million GEL reduction in road usage fees for January-October 2025. Businessman Kakha Khazaradze expressed pessimism regarding the current business climate and investment prospects. The Georgian Lari depreciated slightly against the US Dollar, reaching an official value of 2.7062 GEL. Environmentally, concerns were raised about air pollution in Tbilisi, with calls from the Green Movement for urgent action against increasing construction and dwindling green spaces.
In the realm of sports, Georgian athletes continued to make headlines. The men's national rugby team demonstrated strong performances with victories over Canada (38:17) and the USA (43:30), and is preparing for an upcoming match against Japan. In MMA, Georgian fighter Alexander Topuria is set to compete in UFC Qatar, alongside Arman Tsarukyan's anticipated return. Two Georgian wrestlers, Vakhtang Lolua and Gela Bolkvadze, currently lead world rankings in their respective categories. Additionally, Wizz Air announced new direct flights from Kutaisi to Bratislava, enhancing regional connectivity, and UEFA held a strategic GROW session in Tbilisi to discuss the future development of Georgian football.