Georgian Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili sharply criticized EU High Representative Kaja Kallas, accusing her of “slandering Georgian judges” and threatening them with sanctions instead of apologizing for past EU criticisms that he claimed were proven false by the European Court of Human Rights.

“This has nothing to do with European values anymore,” Papuashvili said, adding that recent comments from Kallas and other EU officials reflect “Soviet-style threats” and disinformation targeting Georgia’s judiciary.

He further alleged that EU diplomats were trying to intimidate Georgian judges and likened Brussels’ actions to political interference. “The EU, once a peace project, is now being used as a tool to attack the Georgian state and people,” he stated.

His remarks followed Kallas’s statement that all options, including suspending Georgia’s visa-free regime, are under consideration due to the country’s democratic backsliding. Kallas also confirmed that two Georgian judges are part of a proposed EU sanctions package.