Shalva Papuashvili on UK sanctions: A broken clock is right twice a day - this decision is part of their policy toward Russia, so how can we thank a country that does not even consult us?

“This is a matter for the United Kingdom and it is up to them to decide. A broken clock is right twice a day,” Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili said, commenting on the United Kingdom’s sanctions against 31 individuals, including Marat Kambolov, Alan Gagloev and Sergei Tolmachev, who are linked to Georgia’s occupied regions of Abkhazia and so-called South Ossetia.

According to Papuashvili, the UK’s decision to impose sanctions is irrelevant. He said the measures “will neither restore territorial integrity nor have any other meaningful effect.”

“In this case, the decision may be one that is also correct from our perspective, but the broken clock that the United Kingdom has when it comes to sanctions remains a broken clock. I would call it an irrelevant decision. It neither contributes to restoring our territorial integrity nor takes anything away from it. This is part of the United Kingdom’s policy...

“What will the United Kingdom do next? Will an M6 unit go to Tskhinvali and arrest someone, or what will it do? This is the United Kingdom’s policy toward Russia, and we have simply happened to be included in it.

“This is part of the United Kingdom’s policy toward Russia. Whether Georgia, Armenia or Lithuania is involved is not of decisive importance. How am I supposed to thank a country that does not even consult us on this issue? Perhaps there is someone who should be added, or perhaps someone who should not be added. If they are acting in our interests, should they not consult us? Nobody here is interested in our interests – neither in doing something nor in ruining something,” Papuashvili said.

He also commented on the UK’s decision to impose sanctions on four Georgian citizens: Mamuka Pipia, Nikoloz Mzhavanadze, Giorgi Iremadze and Paata Abuladze.

“These people are in Russia and consider Russia their state; they are there. This issue is part of the confrontation between the United Kingdom and Russia,” Papuashvili said.

For reference, under its Russia sanctions regime, the United Kingdom imposed sanctions on 31 individuals, entities and vessels over activities that threaten Ukraine’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence.