Georgia Chooses Not to Retaliate with Counter-Sanctions Against Estonia, Lithuania

The Georgian Dream government announced on Monday that it would not impose counter-sanctions on Estonia and Lithuania, despite their recent sanctions on 20 Georgian officials, including Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze.

In an official statement, the Government asserted it had the “right and ability” to respond to what it described as an “anti-Georgian decision” with reciprocal measures, but would refrain from doing so, The Caspian Post reports, citing Georgian media.

“Because of our respect for the Lithuanians and Estonians, we believe it would be unreasonable to take such a step. We have decided to maintain unilateral friendship with both states to avoid undermining the traditional bonds between the people of Georgia, Estonia, and Lithuania,” the statement read.

The Georgian Government also criticised the Estonian and Lithuanian authorities, claiming that their sovereignty was “among the most limited in the EU” and accusing them of “acting on instructions from foreign administrations rather than prioritising their own national interests”.

“Unfortunately, despite 33 years of independence, the authorities of Lithuania and Estonia have yet to break free from the Soviet mentality,” the Government claimed.

Concluding the statement, it also extended its “best wishes” to the people of the two countries, saying “we wish our friendly Estonian and Lithuanian people stronger sovereignty and all the best in the year 2025”.