Protests Erupt in Georgia Over EU Membership Delay

Mass protests have erupted in Tbilisi, Georgia, following the government's announcement to suspend EU accession talks until 2028, a decision met with fierce backlash from citizens advocating for closer ties with the West. President Salome Zourabichvili has called for international support against perceived Russian influence, as the ruling Georgian Dream party faces allegations of election fraud and manipulation linked to Moscow. Clashes between protesters and police have resulted in over 200 arrests, with reports of brutality and injuries among demonstrators and law enforcement alike. The protests have drawn parallels to Ukraine's 2014 Maidan movement, with protesters adamantly rejecting alignment with Russia. Amidst this turmoil, Zourabichvili has labeled the recent elections as a 'Russian special operation' and filed a lawsuit to contest the results, which she claims were rigged. The situation remains tense as citizens demand a reaffirmation of Georgia's pro-European stance amidst fears of escalating authoritarianism.