Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze has stated that while the Georgian government remains committed to European integration, it will not do so under what he described as "double standards" imposed by some European officials.

Kaladze claimed that certain European bureaucrats are using the issue of visa liberalization as a political tool to exert pressure on the Georgian population.

"The government is ready to act, but not in conditions where double standards apply — where what is permitted for others is considered unacceptable for us," Kaladze said. "When transparency is suddenly labeled as incompatible with European values, we naturally ask — why? We've received no real answers, only politically motivated speculation aimed at damaging our country."

He argued that Georgia has previously been pressured during discussions about its EU candidate status and accession talks, suggesting that these efforts were intended to stir instability.

"Now the last remaining lever is visa liberalization, and they're using it to blackmail the Georgian people," he stated.

Kaladze also pointed to ongoing geopolitical tensions, warning that the war in Ukraine continues to pose a risk to Georgia, particularly through alleged efforts to provoke a second front in the region.

Referencing comments from a European leader — whom he could not identify exactly — Kaladze said there had been statements implying that Ukraine's EU accession would depend on the legalization of same-sex marriage. He claimed similar ideological and military pressures have been directed at Georgia.

"Whether it was the Swedish or Danish Prime Minister, I can’t recall, but there were statements made to Ukrainian soldiers about EU membership being conditional on legalizing same-sex marriage. These kinds of conditions, along with direct threats to our leaders, are examples of the pressure we've faced," Kaladze said.

Despite these criticisms, Kaladze stressed that Georgia still seeks strong international partnerships — but not at the cost of its sovereignty.

"We want friends and partners, but not at the expense of our national interests. True partnership must be based on mutual respect," he concluded.