Saakashvili: “We will make sure that the European flag, once raised in Georgia, is never lowered again”

Former Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili commented on the decision of the European Council to grant Georgia candidate status for accession to the European Union.

“I am a proud Georgian and a proud citizen of Ukraine. Ukraine has opened the path to Europe for Georgia, but the Georgian people are the main entity that today brings closer our membership in the European Union. Europe has set foot in the Caucasus and we will make sure that the European flag, once raised in Georgia, is never lowered again. I first picked it up in 2004. In 2008, Russia tried to bring it down but failed. Now the European Union itself has raised its flag in our region, and no one will change this,” Saakashvili wrote on the social network.

Let us remind you that the day before Georgia received the status of a candidate to join the European Union. Also at the last summit, it was decided to begin negotiations on the issue of accession to the EU for Ukraine and Moldova.

Since October 1, 2021, Mikheil Saakashvili has been kept in a prison cell and in a hospital in Georgia due to the consequences of his hunger strike. The politician was convicted in the cases of the murder of banker Sandro Girgvliani and the beating of deputy Valery Gelashvili. In the first case, the ex-president was sentenced to three years in prison, in the second - to six. Human rights organizations have repeatedly demanded the release of Mikheil Saakashvili; in many countries around the world he is considered a political prisoner.

Последние новости
Drone attack on Volgograd leaves one dead, eight injured
News
Drone attack on Volgograd leaves one dead, eight injured
31 July 2026

The number of people injured in a large-scale Ukrainian drone attack on the southern Russian city of Volgograd has risen to nine after rescuers recovered the body of a woman from the rubble of a residential building struck overnight on July 31.

Second Initiative to
Society
Second Initiative to "Protect National Values" Launched in Georgia in a Week
31 July 2026

Another public initiative aimed at protecting "national values" has emerged in Georgia. This time, the launch of a platform was announced by actor Giorgi Shanidze, director Giorgi Sikharulidze, and Kote Mzhavia, the director of the Batumi Drama Theater. They propose drafting a law intended—in their view—to protect the church, sacred sites, historical figures, and other "fundamental values" of the country.

Illegal dumping problem grows in Ingushetia, local media report
Society
Illegal dumping problem grows in Ingushetia, local media report
31 July 2026

While crews attempt to extinguish smoldering hotspots at the closed landfill in Malgobek, a new illegal dump is already forming nearby. Bers Bankhaev, head of Ingushetia’s Regional Management Center, highlighted this issue.

Ukrainian drone strikes hit southern Russia and Dagestan overnight
Politics
Ukrainian drone strikes hit southern Russia and Dagestan overnight
31 July 2026

On the night of July 31, residents of Kaspiysk reported explosions near the seaport, which serves as the base for the Caspian Flotilla. Russian authorities have not officially commented on reports of a possible attack on the port. That same night, Ukrainian drones also struck other Russian regions.