Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó declared that Hungary would “always support Georgians” and never allow the European Union to impose sanctions on Georgian leaders. His remarks came after a meeting in Budapest with Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze.

Szijjártó opened with warm praise for Kaladze, highlighting both his political achievements and his football career:

“It’s a huge honour for us that Mayor Kaladze has visited us here… It’s very rare that someone comes with two Champions League titles to this building,” he said, adding that Kaladze’s decisive electoral victory reflected strong public approval in Tbilisi. He even joked that Kaladze could offer “lectures” to Budapest’s own mayor on governing a capital city.

The Hungarian foreign minister emphasized the close relationship between Hungary and Georgia, describing both governments as “patriotic, sovereignist, pro-peace.” He said Hungary stands firmly behind the Georgian Dream party and assured Kaladze that Budapest would resist any efforts within the EU to introduce sanctions against Georgian leadership.

Szijjártó also drew parallels between the political climates of the two countries, arguing that both governments face criticism for refusing to follow the “liberal mainstream.” According to him, this stance is precisely why they retain strong domestic support.

“We Hungarians know how it feels to swim against the current,” he said. “Since your government carries out a patriotic kind of policy, this is the reason why the people in Georgia support the government.”