On December 8, Davit Kartvelishvili (1;2), a member of the “People’s Power” party, published a Facebook post about Evelyn Farkas, the executive director of the McCain Institute. Kartvelishvili claims that in September 2022, Farkas encouraged Georgia to start hostilities against Russia, and in September 2023 she reminded us again that “it is precisely now the time for the Georgian people to stand up to Putin and this historic opportunity should not be missed.” The member of “People’s Power” calls Evelyn Farkas “an ever-vigilant enemy” of Georgia and attaches screenshots of “Radio Liberty” articles to the post. Davit Kartvelishvili’s post was published on their website by the online publication “Spacenews” and the media holding “Kvira.”
Gia Abashidze, a pro-government expert, disseminated the Facebook post in 2 groups – “Protest” and “Citizen” Non-Governmental Organization.” Konstantine Chikviladze, the administrator of the closed group of Spnews, shared the “Spacenews” article in another Facebook group – “Friends of Bidzina Ivanishvili on Facebook”.
The voiced claim around the statements of Evelyn Farkas is disinformation. In September 2023 and 2022, Farkas spoke to “Radio Liberty” about the Russia-Ukraine war and Georgia’s position, but in no interview did she call for Georgia to start hostilities.
In an interview published by Radio Liberty on September 9, 2022, Evelyn Farkas talked about Georgia-US relations, the ongoing war in Ukraine, and the importance of economic sanctions. The journalist asked her whether Georgia-US and Georgia-NATO relations are active enough to adequately respond and follow the threats that, like others, are growing for Georgia. According to Farkas, she is concerned that she does not see the activities of the Georgian government. According to her own assessment, along with the new challenges, the government of a small country should find a way to contribute in order to have a “place at the table.”
“You can have trade with Russia, although sanctions are another issue, so you have to think about how you can have trade. You can certainly have diplomacy with Russia and .. everything diplomatically and not say no to everything when it comes to Russia but you have to give something to the United States and the West if you want to be part of that community.” – said Farkas.
To the journalist’s question, what could be that “something” that Georgia could give to the US and the West, Farkas answered:
“Well, certainly sanctions. we want to see the Georgian government being more actively engaged in sanctioning Russia because there is no other way apart from the military way, in which, of course, the government of Georgia and we, the US, do not want to be involved. We are only indirectly helping the Ukrainian military to defend itself, but the war we are waging against Russia is an economic one and it would be very helpful if all democratic countries that want to be members of the European Union and the Transatlantic Community were more supportive of the sanctions, because this is something that can influence Vladimir Putin’s decision and maybe finally force it out of the occupied territories of Georgia.”
In the September 2022 interview, Evelyn Farkas says that technically, the Georgian government wants to join the European Union and NATO, but she has questions about the “degree of willingness” because there may be fear of Russia. According to Farkas, Georgia is in less danger today – in terms of invasion and military actions by Russia. The journalist then points out that there is a perception that Russia can increase problems in Georgia, to which Farkas replies:
“And then what? And then what? Still not going to win. Yes, I know that he can move the border of South Ossetia. Yes, he can do it every day. But he will not be able to control Georgia, the West and the international community is on Georgia’s side, and we will remain on the side of Georgia exactly as we are on Ukraine’s side. We believe that Georgia also has the right to self-defense. Although, you can argue, we’ve learned a lesson and now we are helping Ukraine.”
Evelyn Farkas also talks about the importance of economic sanctions and pressure on Russia in an interview published on September 11, 2023. According to Farkas, if Vladimir Putin succeeds in Ukraine, there is no reason why he will not do the same in Georgia. According to her, the West is trying to explain to the government of Georgia that it should comply with economic sanctions and Russia’s isolation policy – which does not mean engaging in a war and will not cause bloodshed.
“Vladimir Putin felt that he could not control Ukraine because Zelenskyy was too politically independent and decided to start this full-scale war. Georgia will also be in danger if the government decides to stand up to Putin. I can’t help you except to say that yes, if any government opposes Putin, he may start military actions. Now he won’t because he’s in another war that he can’t even win. But if he wants to later, he can do it. And if the people of Georgia want their government to stand up to Putin, now is the time. Then it will be too late.” – he says in an interview with “Radio Liberty.”
Accordingly, in the interviews of 2022 and 2023, Evelyn Farkas does not discuss Georgia’s involvement in the war – she talks about the importance of economic sanctions and says that now is the time for the Georgian government to stand up to Vladimir Putin, because he will not initiate military actions against the background of the war with Ukraine.
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