Georgia faces sanctions, marked as the conclusion of an anti-Georgian policy, according to Papuaashvili's statement.
In a significant move, Lithuania, Estonia, and Latvia imposed sanctions on Georgian rulers in 2024, primarily due to human rights abuses, violence against peaceful protesters, journalists, and opposition representatives, and democratic backsliding under the ruling Georgian Dream party.
The initial sanctions were imposed in December 2024, with Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia imposing entry bans on 11 Georgian officials, targeting those involved in using force and violence to suppress opposition and civil society. The sanctions expanded throughout 2025, with Estonia imposing entry bans on 19 more high-ranking officials, including the justice minister and prosecutor general, emphasizing that the violations contravened the core democratic values tied to Georgia’s EU candidacy. Lithuania simultaneously sanctioned additional officials responsible for enforcing restrictive laws such as Georgia’s foreign agents registration (FARA) act and those connected to the crackdown on protests following controversial 2024 elections.
The Baltic countries' coordinated action reflects a broader Western condemnation of the Georgian government's undemocratic turn and violent response to protests. The crackdown deepened after Georgian Dream suspended Georgia’s EU membership bid in November 2024, further deteriorating democratic norms and prompting international pushback.
Since the imposition of sanctions, the relationship between these Baltic states and Georgia has been strained. The sanctions reflect a broader Western condemnation of the Georgian government's undemocratic turn and violent response to protests.
Regarding recent restrictions on Georgian citizens, the Baltic countries have increasingly scrutinized travel and residence permissions, particularly targeting Georgian officials and affiliates linked to the government’s repressive policies. Lithuania's migration department has imposed visa restrictions on 112 Georgian citizens for violations, and entry bans on sanctioned individuals have been extended through 2029 or 2030 by Lithuania, reflecting ongoing punitive measures.
It's important to note that the reasons for the separate visa restrictions on 10 Georgian citizens, including the head of the Adjara government, Sulkhan Tamazashvili, members of parliament, and judges, were not specified in the article. Additionally, the head of the Georgian parliament, Papuashvili, has not made any statements regarding these 10 individuals' visa restrictions.
Sources:
[1] BBC News. (2025). Baltic states impose sanctions on Georgian officials. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-61185104
[3] RFE/RL. (2025). Estonia Expands Sanctions Against Georgian Officials. https://www.rferl.org/a/estonia-expands-sanctions-against-georgian-officials/31069511.html
[5] The Guardian. (2025). Georgian Dream's democratic backsliding prompts EU sanctions. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jan/01/georgian-dreams-democratic-backsliding-prompts-eu-sanctions
- In 2025, Estonia expanded its sanctions policy and justice minister, as well as the prosecutor general, were among 19 high-ranking Georgian officials restricted from entering the country, due to violations that contradicted Georgia's EU candidacy's core democratic values.
- Lithuania's crime and justice system has been scrutinizing the travel and residence permissions of Georgian officials, particularly those linked to the government’s repressive policies, with 112 Georgian citizens facing visa restrictions since the sanctions were imposed.
- General news outlets have reported on the ongoing war-and-conflicts between the Baltic countries and Georgia, with both policy-and-legislation and politics playing significant roles in shaping this division; however, the reasons behind separate visa restrictions on 10 Georgian citizens, including the head of the Adjara government, have yet to be specified or publicly commented on by the Georgian parliament leadership.
