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Tinatin Khidasheli was recently featured in an Italian Magazine Le Monde and Il Foglio

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🚨 Tinatin Khidasheli, Chair of Civic IDEA, was recently featured in an Italian Magazine Le Monde and Il Foglio, offering her analysis on Russian influence in Europe and Georgia’s strategic challenges.🚨 

In Le Monde she warned:

“Georgia once represented the greatest hope for a truly Euro-Atlantic Caucasus. Yet despite countless warning signals, the EU still struggles to respond decisively. Without a united stance, Tbilisi risks trading its European path for cozy ties with authoritarian regimes like Russia, China and Iran.”

She went on to urge Italy and other EU members to seize the initiative:

“The Georgian government is trading away the country’s Euro-Atlantic future for political survival—and handing strategic assets to authoritarian regimes. This isn’t just Georgia’s problem; it’s Europe’s problem.”

“It’s essential that member states step up—more national sanctions, more diplomatic pressure, and undivided solidarity with the Georgian people. Europe’s credibility is at stake.”
 — Tinatin Khidasheli, ilfoglio.it , April 2025

🔍 Here are the key highlights from the articles below:

In her recent article featuring in Le Monde and Il Foglio, Tinatin Khidasheli distilled two intertwined challenges facing Europe and Georgia today:

  1. France’s “Consular Vigilance” Against Moscow

     

    • Counter-Infiltration Measures: Paris has rejected 1,200 visa and accreditation requests at its Russian consulates since April 2022—350 of them specifically for France—to choke off networks of Russian intelligence operatives. Domestic and foreign services (DGSI and Quai d’Orsay) now scrutinize everyone from academic speakers and festival-goers to phony journalists and diplomatic spouses.

       

    • AI-Driven Propaganda: Operation Storm-1516, uncovered by NewsGuard, used AI-generated fake-news narratives in nearly 39,000 posts between December 2024 and March 2025 (55.8 million views), accusing figures like Brigitte Macron and Zelensky of corruption or worse.

       

    • Khidasheli’s Take:

       “These aren’t Old-World spies slipping coded messages across borders—now the battlefield is online. Democracies must treat consular controls and digital vigilance as two sides of the same shield.”

  2. Georgia’s Geopolitical Drift

     

    • Surging Authoritarian Ties: Despite once being Europe’s beacon in the South Caucasus, Georgia’s exports to Russia and imports from China have spiked by 1,700 % and 350 % respectively. Visits to Tehran and Belt-and-Road disengagement signal a strategic pivot away from the EU.
    • Domestic Erosion: Under the ruling Georgian Dream party, democratic institutions have been weakened—rigged elections, media intimidation, and judicial control—while strategic ports and energy assets edge toward foreign hands.

Khidasheli’s Call:

 “Georgia’s European journey is at risk of being sold off, one strategic asset at a time. It’s not just Tbilisi’s problem—it’s Europe’s. Member states must coordinate sanctions, ramp up diplomatic pressure, and stand unequivocally with the Georgian people.”

Tinatin Khidasheli was recently featured in an Italian Magazine Le Monde and Il Foglio Read More »

How Does the Georgian Dream Respond to Messages from the US Regarding Anaklia?

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Contrary to the expectations of representatives of the Georgian Dream, recent statements by American politicians confirm that the Trump administration is not indifferent to the decision to transfer the Anaklia Port project to a Chinese company. Furthermore, both Republican and Democratic party representatives view the potential involvement of a Chinese firm in the Anaklia project as an attempt by China—a strategic rival of the United States—to expand its influence in the Black Sea region.

Representatives of the Georgian Dream party have offered differing narratives in response to Washington’s recent statements concerning the Anaklia port project. The illegitimate Prime Minister, Irakli Kobakhidze, attributed the remarks by American officials to the influence of the so-called “Deep State.” Meanwhile, the Vice Prime Minister, Levan Davitashvili, cast doubt on the potential transfer of the port to a Chinese company.

For a comprehensive overview of the Georgian Dream’s latest statements and positions regarding the Anaklia port, please refer to the full report.

Full report

How Does the Georgian Dream Respond to Messages from the US Regarding Anaklia? Read More »

Tinatin Khidasheli Featured in Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty Article

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The Chairwoman of Civic IDEA, Tinatin Khidasheli, is featured in a recent article by Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, which examines China’s growing presence in the Black Sea region and its strategic interests in Georgia.

In the article, Ms. Khidasheli comments on the implications of Chinese involvement in infrastructure projects like the Anaklia deep-water port and highlights the potential risks to regional security and Georgia’s international partnerships.

Read the Full Article

Tinatin Khidasheli Featured in Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty Article Read More »

Russia’s Naval Expansion in the Black Sea

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The recent announcement of a Russian naval base in Ochamchire, Abkhazia has intensified concerns about regional security, economic stability, and Georgia’s sovereignty. While Russia claims this expansion is a strategic necessity following Ukrainian attacks on its Black Sea fleet, Georgia and its Western allies see it as a direct violation of international law and a further entrenchment of Russian influence in the South Caucasus and the Black Sea.

Tap to see the full article:

Russia’s Naval Expansion in the Black Sea Read More »

South Caucasus at a Crossroads – Tinatin Khidasheli’s Address in The Hague

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On 3 April, the international conference “The South Caucasus Again in Transition” was held in The Hague, Netherlands. Tinatin Khidasheli, Chairperson of the organization Civic IDEA, participated as a speaker on the panel titled “The South Caucasus: A Region in Transition.”

In her remarks, Ms. Khidasheli addressed the key challenges facing Georgia and the wider South Caucasus region, as well as the opportunities presented during this critical period of transition. She underscored the importance of preserving peace, advancing democratic reforms, and strengthening international cooperation as essential elements for ensuring regional stability and development.

The conference was organized by LINKS Europe Foundation, a Hague-based organization committed to promoting peace and security in Europe and its neighboring regions to the East and South, and to enhancing the European Union’s engagement with these regions.

South Caucasus at a Crossroads – Tinatin Khidasheli’s Address in The Hague Read More »

Helsinki Commission responds to Anaklia port case

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The members of the American Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe, also known as the Helsinki Commission, expressed concern over the fact that the Georgian Dream party has surrendered control of the Anaklia deep-sea port to a Chinese conglomerate, which is sanctioned by the U.S. and backed by the Chinese government.

According to the seven representatives of the commission, one of the parts of the conglomerate, China Communications Construction Company often uses infrastructure development projects to exploit and destabilise the countries and increase their dependence on China. Apart from this, the commission underlines the dangers of the growing Chinese presence in the Black Sea, which, according to them, jeopardizes the region’s safety and free trade. The statement also highlights that China grows its presence in the region by its collaboration with Russia.

According to the conclusion reached by the commission, the Georgian Dream party will further endanger the democratic trajectory of the country and the ability to determine its own economic future. The Congressmen call on the party to reconsider its decision and evaluate bids based on how fairly and transparently they develop the critical infrastructure.

It is noteworthy, that the statement is signed by Republican, as well as Democrat Senators and Congressmen.

Helsinki Commission responds to Anaklia port case Read More »

Moscow’s Ties to Georgia: The Hidden Financial Web

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A major investigation by independent British journalist has exposed a vast financial web linking Russian oligarchs, the Georgian ruling elite, and British financial institutions. At the center of this operation is Bidzina Ivanishvili—Georgia’s richest man and de facto ruler—whose network has systematically funneled Kremlin-linked money into Georgia using Western platforms to secure his political and financial control.

The investigation was supported by Civic IDEA. Original material was prepared by British journalist Neil Will for Byline Times.”

The British Shell Game: How Russian Money Moves Through Georgia

A key player in this scheme is Hunnawell Business Ltd, a UK-based firm that has quietly facilitated the transfer of Russian capital into Georgia. The company was founded by Ivanishvili’s financial advisor, Irakli Rukhadze, who for years managed assets linked to both Russian oligarchs and the Georgian ruling elite.

Leaked documents reveal that after the mysterious 2008 death of oligarch Badri Patarkatsishvili in London, a hidden financial network, including Rukhadze, took control of his assets. These funds were later redirected into Ivanishvili’s circles, reinforcing his grip on Georgia’s economy and political system while deepening Moscow’s influence.

Bidzina Ivanishvili has long concealed his Kremlin ties while leveraging Western financial networks to expand his wealth. Leaked documents expose how Georgian oligarchs used British shell companies, like Hunnawell Business Ltd, to funnel Russian money into Georgia unnoticed. Hunnawell played a role in a $1.5 billion scandal involving Gulnara Karimova, the daughter of Uzbekistan’s former president, who took bribes in exchange for market access. The firm’s ties to Roman Abramovich and the misuse of British financial systems highlight the laundering of illicit wealth and the strengthening of Russian influence.

Irakli Rukhadze, a key figure in this network, was defeated in the UK Supreme Court in March 2025 for orchestrating a fraudulent scheme to divert over $170 million. This ruling exposed how figures linked to Ivanishvili exploited Western financial systems to protect Russian-linked wealth. The operation further emphasizes Ivanishvili’s financial empire, built on fraud and manipulation.

Global Money Laundering Playground?

These revelations confirm what many have long suspected: Ivanishvili has turned Georgia—and now even Western financial hubs—into a vast stadium for laundering Russian money and conducting Kremlin-backed business operations. While his government claims to pursue European integration, its financial foundation remains rooted in Moscow’s economic agenda.

British MP James McCleary has warned that “London remains, clearly, too attractive an option to pass up for the individuals behind these types of ventures,” calling for stricter controls on UK-based companies aiding authoritarian regimes.

Financial authorities estimate that more than £100 billion—40% of the world’s dirty cash—is laundered through British-registered companies annually, with law firms, private banks, and wealth management firms enabling these illicit flows. McCleary insists that the UK must implement stronger transparency measures to ensure that its financial institutions are not unwittingly propping up authoritarian regimes like Ivanishvili’s. Without decisive action, Western financial hubs risk becoming safe havens for Kremlin-linked operatives seeking to extend their influence under the cover of regulatory blind spots.

Moscow’s Ties to Georgia: The Hidden Financial Web Read More »

China’s Central Bank in Georgia: A Path Toward Debt-Trap Diplomacy?

New, Newswire / /

On March 26, 2025, the National Bank of Georgia (NBG) and the People’s Bank of China (PBOC) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), outlining collaboration in the following areas:

  • Monetary policy;
  • Exchange of information and expertise in financial technology, payment systems, and securities market development.

During an official visit to Beijing, the Governor of the NBG, Natia Turnava, met with representatives of key Chinese state-controlled financial institutions, including the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, the Bank of China, and the China Construction Bank.

As previously reported by Civic IDEA, periodic meetings between the NBG and the PBOC have taken place since March 2024, exploring avenues for cooperation. Consequently, the signing of the March 26, 2025, MOU was anticipated.

This engagement with the Chinese banking sector aligns with the increasingly anti-Western foreign policy direction pursued by the ruling Georgian Dream party. Notably, on August 30, 2021, then-chairman of the party, Irakli Kobakhidze, announced the rejection of a €75 million EU microfinance assistance package.

The pro-China orientation of the Georgian Dream has been reflected in Georgia’s evolving debt structure. As of 2025, Georgia’s external credit obligations to international financial institutions where China plays a dominant role have risen significantly:

  • Asian Development Bank (ADB): $2.26 billion
  • Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB): $211 million

While both ADB and AIIB are international financial institutions, and their cooperation does not inherently expose Georgia to “debt-trap diplomacy,” direct collaboration between the NBG and Chinese state institutions marks a significant shift. The March 26 MOU suggests that following the Anaklia port project, Georgia’s financial sector may now also fall under Chinese influence.

Risks Associated with Cooperation with China’s Banking Sector

Closer cooperation with China’s banking institutions presents economic and political challenges for Georgia, primarily due to the structural characteristics of China’s financial system:

  • Communist Party Influence: Chinese banks, akin to other state-owned enterprises, operate under Communist Party control. While the PBOC previously functioned with a degree of institutional independence, in 2024, President Xi Jinping introduced reforms tightening party oversight. As a result, analysts believe that China’s financial system has become an even more direct instrument of party policy.
  • Opacity: Unlike Western central banks, the PBOC lacks transparency. It does not adhere to a consistent communication strategy, often making abrupt monetary policy decisions without prior notification or clear justification, thereby generating uncertainty both domestically and internationally.
  • Corruption: Corruption remains a persistent issue within China’s banking sector. In 2024, former PBOC Vice Governor Fan Yifei was sentenced to life in prison for corruption, underscoring governance weaknesses.
  • Financial Instability: China’s economy continues to face significant challenges. The COVID-19 pandemic severely impacted financial institutions, with Bloomberg reporting that 13% of Chinese financial entities were classified as “high-risk.” As of March 2025, China’s total debt exceeded 300% of GDP. Additionally, the ongoing US-China trade war has further exacerbated economic volatility.

Given these factors, China’s banking system functions as a tool for advancing the political ambitions of the Communist Party. China and its affiliated institutions have been actively striving to expand their global economic influence. In recent years, the People’s Republic and its close authoritarian allies, including BRICS member states, have promoted de-dollarization in international trade. In response to these efforts, U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to impose a 100% tariff on BRICS nations.

A key player in advancing de-dollarization is the People’s Bank of China. In 2024, the PBC signed currency swap agreements with more than 40 foreign financial institutions. If cooperation between the National Bank of Georgia and the PBC intensifies, Georgia may gradually shift away from the Western monetary system, increasing its financial reliance on China.

Due to the nature of China’s financial system, several emerging economies have defaulted under the weight of its lending practices, which are characterized by:

  • Confidentiality: Former U.S. National Security Council official Grant T. Harris has highlighted that one of the defining features of Chinese loans is their secrecy. Key terms, and in some cases even the existence of the agreements, are often undisclosed.
  • Challenging Debt Restructuring: China is not a member of the Paris Club, ( an informal group of creditor nations that negotiates with debtor countries to restructure or provide relief on sovereign debt ) an international forum for coordinating debt relief. Consequently, debtor nations must engage in direct negotiations with Beijing, often resulting in outcomes that undermine their sovereignty. A notable example is Sri Lanka, which, in 2017, was compelled to transfer 70% of its strategic Hambantota Port to a Chinese state-owned entity due to its inability to service its debts.
  • Cross-Default Clauses: Many Chinese loan agreements include cross-default provisions, whereby a borrowing nation is considered in default if it fails to meet unrelated obligations. These obligations can include shifts in diplomatic policy or regime change, granting Beijing significant leverage over debtor states.
  • Collateral-Based Lending: Chinese loans frequently require collateral arrangements, sometimes involving strategic assets. In 2011, Tajikistan ceded 1,000 square kilometers of land to China as part of a debt settlement arrangement.

Considering Georgia’s past experiences in Sino-Georgian relations, the growing presence of Chinese financial institutions in the country raises credible concerns regarding potential debt-trap diplomacy. Previous agreements signed between Georgian Dream and Chinese banks have often been marked by a lack of transparency. Despite multiple reports of irregularities in Chinese banking operations, the Georgian government has consistently refrained from addressing these concerns.

In light of these trends, it remains plausible that the Georgian Dream will continue to facilitate Chinese financial expansion in Georgia, potentially exposing the country to unsustainable debt and economic dependency on Beijing.

China’s Central Bank in Georgia: A Path Toward Debt-Trap Diplomacy? Read More »

China and Russia: Two Primary Challenges for Europe

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On 19 March 2025, the European Commission published the Joint White Paper for European Defence Readiness 2030, an action plan aimed at strengthening the European defence industry and advancing collective security mechanisms.

According to the White Paper, the international order established after World War II is transforming. Strategic competition among major global powers is intensifying in the EU’s broader neighborhood, including the Middle East and West Africa. Transatlantic unity faces new challenges from increasingly authoritarian regimes. Accordingly, the document emphasizes that reinforcing Europe’s collective security necessitates greater investment and enhanced solidarity among member states.

The introductory section of the White Paper outlines the principal challenges to Europe’s collective security. Notably, the document devotes particular attention to China when addressing threats posed by authoritarian states:

The White Paper designates the Russian Federation as a fundamental threat to European security, asserting that Moscow will retain this status for the foreseeable future. According to the document, Russia remains a destabilizing force in the EU’s immediate neighborhood, including Georgia.

Furthermore, the White Paper identifies China as the second most significant challenge to the EU’s collective security. Notably, it asserts that the nature of the threats posed by China’s influence is strategically similar to those stemming from Russian expansionism. Consequently, the European Commission regards China as a challenge of similar magnitude to Russia.

The document characterizes the threat posed by China as systemic, rooted in several key factors:

  1. It emanates from a state governed by an authoritarian and undemocratic system.
  2. It arises from a state that seeks to attain primacy and, in some cases, supremacy through trade, investment, and technological dominance.

The document underscores that China’s status as one of the EU’s principal trading partners does not mitigate the reality of the threat posed by Beijing. Specifically:

  • China ranks second globally in defense expenditures, with a budget surpassing the combined military spending of all East Asian nations.
  • China is actively advancing military capabilities, particularly in nuclear, space, and cyber domains.
  • The opacity of China’s military expansion remains a concern, as Beijing does not publicly disclose comprehensive information about its defense capabilities.
  • The modernization of China’s military-industrial complex exhibits both quantitative and qualitative enhancement.
  • China increasingly employs political, economic, military, cognitive, and cyber strategies to assert influence over Taiwan.

According to the White Paper, China’s expanding military capabilities are significantly altering the balance of power in the Indo-Pacific region. Additionally, Beijing’s actions are contributing to instability across multiple regions, including the East and South China Seas, as well as the Indo-Pacific as a whole. The document warns that an escalation of tensions in the Taiwan Strait could severely impact the European Union, potentially restricting access to critical resources and key technologies. Thus, China’s maneuvers in this geographical sphere have profound implications for European security.

The White Paper underscores the necessity of enhancing the EU’s collective defense capabilities in response to escalating threats from Russia and China. It outlines a comprehensive strategy for developing the European defense industry by 2030, including measures to strengthen military cooperation among member states.

China and Russia: Two Primary Challenges for Europe Read More »

A New Wave of Russian Propaganda: BRICS as an Alternative to the EU

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According to reports published on March 15, US-sanctioned former Prosecutor General of Georgia, Temur Partskhaladze, has been facilitating investments from BRICS countries in Georgia, offering opportunities for business acquisitions. Given the Georgian Dream (GD) party’s shifting stance away from the Euro-Atlantic trajectory, the increasing engagement of BRICS investors in Georgia raises significant concerns. This development fuels speculation that GD might be considering BRICS membership as part of its broader strategy.

On March 15, it was revealed that Russian citizen and US-sanctioned former Georgian Prosecutor General Otar Partskhaladze has been assisting investors from BRICS nations in acquiring businesses within Georgia. To facilitate this, he established the brokerage company BIZAVI, which connects investors with business opportunities in Russia, Armenia, Kazakhstan, and Georgia. Notably, since October 2024, Partskhaladze has led the investment platform BRICS International Business Broker.

BRICS, founded in 2009 by Russia, China, Brazil, and India, serves as an alternative to the Western-dominated global order. Currently comprising over ten member states—including nations openly hostile to the West, such as Iran—the bloc asserts that Western powers disproportionately influence international institutions, sidelining the interests of developing countries. Consequently, BRICS pursues objectives such as:

  • Enhancing the role of the Global South in global governance;
  • Coordinating economic policies among member states;
  • Reducing reliance on the US dollar;
  • Establishing an alternative financial system.

Russia and China, as the dominant forces within BRICS, consistently advocate for a multipolar world order that challenges Western, particularly American, hegemony. The bloc’s influence now extends beyond Asia, reaching the South Caucasus. Notably, Azerbaijan submitted an official application for BRICS membership in August 2024, a move that has fueled discussions within Georgian anti-Western circles regarding the prospect of Georgia joining the bloc.

An analysis of the Georgian media landscape reveals that Russian propaganda machinery has already been activated to promote Georgia’s potential BRICS membership. On October 27, 2024, Alexander Dugin, the Kremlin’s chief ideologue, congratulated Georgian Dream on its electoral victory and advised the ruling party:

“Georgian Dream needs a strategy… They can make Georgia great again… and join BRICS.”

Interestingly, discussions about BRICS within Georgia’s pro-government media, particularly Imedi, intensified in 2024. A notable propagandist in this regard is Temur Maisuradze, a former Georgian Dream MP (2012–2016), who has been particularly vocal. In a November 4, 2024, interview, Maisuradze argued that Article 78 of Georgia’s Constitution impedes the country’s ability to join BRICS. He asserted that BRICS represents a step forward for Georgia, stating, “Refusing to join would be a betrayal of the homeland… We must become members of this union.”

Imedi’s founder and owner, Irakli Rukhadze, a key propagandist for Georgian Dream, has long opposed the constitutional provision mandating Georgia’s integration with the EU and NATO. He has dismissed this commitment as an unnecessary constraint, remarking:

“The entire nation’s focus has been diverted to this… It has been elevated to a sacred, dogmatic status… Why is this written in the Constitution? This is nonsense. If you ask me, we should not have written such things in the Constitution, which is a permanent document.”

(Irakli Rukhadze, Imedi TV, July 14, 2024)

Another Imedi-affiliated commentator, David Chikhelidze, echoed similar sentiments on December 23, 2024, arguing that Georgia could secure a distinct position within BRICS, as it is “a purely economic union that does not interfere in the internal politics of its member states.” Notably, Georgian propagandists frequently emphasize BRICS’s purportedly economic focus, contrasting it with the European Union, which they depict as more politically intrusive.

Regarding BRICS itself, Georgia has drawn the bloc’s attention amid ongoing domestic protests. The only article concerning Georgia on BRICS’s official website was published on November 29, 2024—the day after the Georgian Dream Prime Minister announced the suspension of negotiations with the EU. The article, titled “West Again Tries to Stage Coup d’état in Georgia,” aligns closely with Russian narratives, predicting that the protests will ultimately fail:

“The West is trying to stage a coup d’état in Georgia by organizing a color revolution, inciting mass protests and internal conflicts in the former Soviet republic, but protests by the Georgian opposition against allegedly rigged parliamentary elections will ultimately fail.’

It is evident that BRICS, a bloc co-founded by Russia, is not a politically neutral entity focused solely on economic development. Consequently, it comes as no surprise that BRICS does not respect Georgia’s territorial integrity. In June 2024, during a BRICS Sports Games, the so-called “flags” of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali were displayed alongside the Georgian flag. Against this backdrop, given the increasingly anti-Western and pro-Russian/Chinese foreign policy inclinations of the Georgian Dream, it is plausible that Bidzina Ivanishvili’s government views BRICS as a viable alternative to EU integration.

A New Wave of Russian Propaganda: BRICS as an Alternative to the EU Read More »

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