In Georgia, there are growing calls to close the airspace to Russia

In the wake of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, some opposition parties and activists are demanding for Georgia to close its airspace to Russia and prohibit its official media and local pro-Kremlin networks from broadcasting in Georgia.

On February 28, Nika Melia, the chair of Georgia's main opposition party, the United National Movement, suggested that the government should join the EU's airspace blockade "in the name of the Georgian people."

Melia said that "Russia's propaganda media outlets" harm the "freedom and dignity of our country" in support of the media ban.

Mamuka Khazaradze, the chair of the Lelo party, adopted a different approach, urging significant private telecommunications providers — Magti and Silknet — to either charge a large fee for customers to watch "Russian propaganda channels," or to remove the networks entirely from their services.

However, the Lelo party has been hesitant to call for a closure of the airspace thus far. MP Salome Samadashvili stated that parliamentarians must first consider the option, as Georgia must consider the impact the decision would have on neighbouring Armenia.

Strategy Aghmashenebeli MP Paata Manjgaladze claimed his party, along with the Republican Party, will formally petition the Georgian National Communications Commission to prohibit "Russian propaganda media" since their coverage involves "information warfare aspects."

The Shame Movement, an activist organisation that has planned large protests in favour of Ukraine, announced three requests: restrict the skies to Russian jets, cease airing "Russian propaganda media," and begin discussing sanctions.

Moreover, Prime Minister (PM) Irakli Garibashvili is facing calls to resign after making anti-Western remarks about Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

In reaction to the PM, Droa leader Elene Khoshtaria said that it is a "Russian lie" that sanctions are unsuccessful.

"We hear another awful speech from our PM at a time when Ukrainian warriors are giving their lives to safeguard the whole free world against Russian aggression," she tweeted.

Meanwhile, Nika Melia, the chair of the United National Movement denounced Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Margvelashvili as a "crony" of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

"Repeating Kremlin propaganda and excluding the West," he remarked in response to the PM's remarks.

The current PM, according to Natia Mezvrishvili, head of ex-Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia's For Georgia party, is "a shame of our nation," with Garibashvili's acts amounting to animosity toward Georgia.

In a quick message on Facebook, Lelo party head Mamuka Khazaradze implored the PM, "Do not embarrass us."

International sanctions imposed on VTB Bank Georgia

After the US, UK, EU, and other allies imposed sanctions on Russian financial institutions in reaction to the invasion of Ukraine, the Georgian branch of Russia's state-owned VTB Bank is no longer allowed to conduct transactions in US dollars, British pounds, or euros.

As the regulator of commercial banks, the National Bank of Georgia said that it had complied with the penalties and limited VTB's transactions in the appropriate foreign currency.

In an initial statement, the central bank stated its willingness to lend financial resources to the Russian-owned bank in the event of a liquidity crisis.

However, in a later statement, the passage was removed.

The central bank stated in the amended version that it is closely monitoring events and is prepared to "defend depositors' interests by employing mechanisms foreseen by international norms and [Georgian] legislation."

In a statement, the VTB Bank Georgia branch claimed that it had created an action plan with the NBG in the event of sanctions.

The central bank has stated that it is prepared to provide liquidity to VTB Bank Georgia if necessary.

The Russian bank's Georgian office, on the other hand, claims to have "the potential to completely meet its commitments to the clients, if necessary," with assets surpassing 135% of deposits.

The bank stated that it will continue to operate in Georgia and that clients will be able to withdraw their funds or move them elsewhere if they want.

Also, following its inclusion on a list of financial institutions targeted by the West as a result of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Russian state-owned VTB Bank Georgia has offloaded its consumer loans and deposits portfolio to China-linked Basisbank.

The National Bank of Georgia said that the changeover process had begun and that Basisbank will begin serving individual clients at VTB Bank Georgia branches on February 28.

The central bank confirmed its adherence to Russia's sanctions, emphasising that it had urged financial institutions to follow the regulations.

The NBG also denied "misinformation" circulated by Russian media outlets claiming the Georgian central bank will not restrict the activities of the VTB Bank.

"The National Bank of Georgia is working in compliance with international agreements and norms, and it cannot and will not assist (in) dodging the implementation of these sanctions," according to the statement.

The development comes after the NBG stated in a statement dated February 25 that it was ready to offer financial resources to VTB Bank Georgia in the event of a liquidity crisis.

Phone talk of FM Zalkaliani and James Cleverly from the United Kingdom

Foreign Minister David Zalkaliani spoke via phone with James Cleverly, Minister of State for Europe and North America in the UK's Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office.

According to the Georgian Foreign Ministry, the two ambassadors addressed Russia's invasion of Ukraine as well as the geopolitical situation in Europe. The parties underscored the importance of a bilateral strategic relationship and the necessity for future collaboration to be strengthened.

According to the Ministry, Moscow's action against Ukraine is reminiscent of the 2008 Russo-Georgian conflict and is another attempt by Russia to split the work into regions of interest.

According to the article, the UK official stated that London is aware of Georgia's issues and that the nation is not alone in the face of increased dangers.

Georgia backs United Nations resolution condemning Russia's attack on Ukraine

Georgia voted in favour of a UN General Assembly resolution calling on Russia to end its invasion of Ukraine immediately, remove its military, and adhere to the UN Charter.

During the historic "Uniting for Peace" session, 141 countries voted in support of the "Aggression against Ukraine" resolution, dealing a severe diplomatic blow to Moscow.

Belarus, North Korea, Syria, and Eritrea were the only four countries to vote alongside Russia. 35 countries abstained, including Russia's allies Armenia and Kazakhstan. Azerbaijan was absent from the voting.

Georgia's Ambassador to the United Nations, Kaha Imnadze, tweeted, "Georgia, whose 20% is occupied, understands well the face of war." "We must put an end to the conflict."

Georgia was one of 94 countries to sign on as co-sponsors of the resolution.

"I'm glad to everyone who voted in favour… You have chosen the right side of history” President Volodymyr Zelenskyy tweeted. Ukrainian troops have been repelling Russian forces' assault since February 24.

Consumer protection measure for EU-Georgia Association Agreement receives its first hearing in parliament

The Georgian Parliament held its first hearing on a consumer protection measure mandated by the Association Agreement struck between the European Union and Georgia.

The bill also "establishes rules for prohibiting unfair commercial practices that violate the values of trust and good faith," according to the country's legislative body. It includes consumer contract warranties, liability, warranty terms, repercussions of breaching service responsibilities, and more.

The proposal, according to Maka Bochorishvili, chairwoman of the Georgian Parliament's EU integration committee, would introduce key consumer protection provisions.

"The Association Agreement between Georgia and the European Union contains provisions, including the legislative control of consumer policy. The implementation of European consumer protection rules is critical for Georgia's EU integration process,” according to Bochorishvili.

The EU and Georgia concluded an Association Agreement in June 2014, which includes a Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area that liberalises trade in products and services between the two countries.

In the scope of the Eastern Partnership, which was formed in 2009 and brings together six Eastern European nations, including Georgia, the deal strengthened the country's political and economic links with the EU.