On January 23, Georgian Dream Chairman Irakli Kobakhidze said that in 2022, compared to 2021, the growth of Georgia's total exports amounted to 33 percent, while in the same period, exports to Russia increased by only 7 percent. According to him, the goods imported from Georgia make up only 0.3 percent of Russia's total imports in 2022.

According to Kobakhidze, who demanded a categorical and fact-based answer to the accusations, it was a pity when the president was also persuaded to circulate this lie.

"A couple of days ago, the journalist of CNN asked the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, a question based on fake information related to Georgia. In particular, the journalist said there are reports about the transportation of sanctioned goods to Russia through different countries, especially Georgia, and asked whether the next package of EU sanctions would solve this problem. CNN is not an ordinary media outlet, and this fact clearly shows how large-scale the coordination is, which is directed against the national interests of Georgia. Accordingly, the false information voiced by the CNN journalist needs an immediate response," he stated.

Kobakhidze emphasized, "If Georgia had exported sanctioned products to Russia, exports from Georgia to Russia in 2022 would have increased disproportionately."

"EU countries pay Russia hundreds of millions of euros in imported goods every day. In February-August 2022, compared to the same period in 2021, imports from Russia increased by 33 percent in Germany, 24 percent in Poland, 100 percent in Italy, 84 percent in France, 51 percent in the Netherlands, 78 percent in Belgium, and 132 percent in Hungary, 142 percent in Greece, 51 percent in Spain, in Austria - by 139 percent, in Slovakia - by 71 percent, in Bulgaria - by 116 percent, in Romania - by 55 percent, in the Czech Republic - by 31 percent, in Slovenia - by 346 percent, in Croatia - by 68 percent, in Cyprus - by 138 percent, and in Luxembourg - by 262 percent," the diplomat concluded.