Terje Helland Profile picture
Feb 17 21 tweets 6 min read Read on X
🇬🇪Munich ’25 was a wake-up call. The US is no longer a reliable partner for Europe.
Hegseth betrayed Ukraine🇺🇦, suggesting it should cede land and drop NATO
VP Vance declared that Russia isn’t Europe’s main threat.
🧵Europe must act. And Georgia is the battlefield where we startImage
For too long, Europe has reacted to crises instead of controlling them.
Now, with US disengagement, Europe must take the offensive—economically, politically, and strategically. We must shape the future.
The fastest, most effective move?
A decisive European-led victory in GeorgiaImage
Georgia isn’t just a small country—it’s a strategic battlefield.
✔️ A frontline against Russian influence
✔️ A key energy corridor for Europe
✔️ A test of European strength
A win in Georgia means: saving Georgians, hurting Putin, and proving Europe can lead.
3/17 Image
What does a victory in Georgia look like?
1️⃣ Crushing sanctions on Georgian Dream and its enablers
2️⃣ Economic and political pressure that forces new elections
3️⃣ Support for Georgia’s Euro-Atlantic path
This would send an message: Russia can’t hold Georgia, and Europe isn’t weak
Sanctions are the First Strike
Europe and the UK must hit GD’s network harder:
🔹Ivanishvili and his financial empire
🔹GD’s corrupt business links in Europe
🔹Oligarchs financing repression
🔹State-controlled media and banks
Cut off their oxygen.
5/17 Image
Economic War!
🔹No EU funding for GD-controlled projects
🔹Halt financial transactions for GD elites
🔹Support anti-GD businesses and democratic forces
🔹Increase funding for free media and civil society
We uses these tools against Russian oligarchs. Now, we use them in Georgia.
New elections—forced by pressure
Georgian Dream rigs every vote. But elections under:
🔹Sanctions
🔹Economic collapse
🔹EU oversight
- They can’t survive.
Europe must demand internationally monitored elections and deny GD legitimacy.
7/17 Image
Independent Media & Civil Society are the frontline
To ensure a democratic Georgia, Europe must massively increase support for:
🔹Independent journalism
🔹Opposition voices
🔹Anti-corruption watchdogs
Without them, sanctions won’t be enough.
8/17 Image
A European victory in Georgia hurts Putin
A free Georgia would:
🔹Destroy Russia’s foothold in the Caucasus
🔹Prove Europe can lead without the US
🔹Inspire Ukraine🇺🇦, Moldova🇲🇩, and beyond
Europe needs a win. Georgia is it.
9/17 Image
Hurting Putin where it matters
Losing Georgia means:
🔹Russia loses a key outpost
🔹Moscow weakens in the Black Sea
🔹The Caucasus slips from Putin’s grip
A European-led victory in Georgia weakens Russia from within.
10/17
Europe must drive events, not only react.
It’s time to:
🔹Lead in Georgia
🔹Strengthen Ukraine with economic firepower
🔹Build a European-led security alliance—without the US
🇬🇪Georgia is the test case.
11/17
The UK🇬🇧 must move first
🔹London can hit GD’s financial network in Europe
🔹UK action motivates Berlin, Paris and Brussels
🔹A UK-EU tag team can break GD’s financial system
The UK has the tools, the EU has the weight. Together, we win.
12/17 Image
The clock is ticking
🔹If we delay, GD tightens repression.
🔹If we act fast, we set the narrative.
2025 must be the year Europe wins in Georgia.
13/17
What Comes After Victory?
🔹A democratic, pro-European Georgia
🔹A strong, independent media sector
🔹A weakened Putin regime
🔹A model for European leadership in the region
This isn’t just about Georgia—it’s Europe proving it can lead.
14/17 Image
The message to the world
Winning in Georgia shows:
🔹Europe isn’t weak
🔹We won’t sit back
🔹We don’t need Washington to fight our battles
A victory in Georgia is a victory for European power.
15/17 Image
Europe, this is OUR moment
Russia thinks we are weak.
Georgian Dream believes it can rule unchallenged.
It’s time for Europe to take the offensive.
And Georgia is where we start.
16/17 Image
☕️ If you enjoy my threads and work, please consider supporting my work at .
Your support is a great motivation for me to continue informing and engaging.
Thank you!🙏
17/17buymeacoffee.com/terjehelland

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More from @terjehelland

Feb 8
🇬🇪Western diplomats must recognize a hard truth: any symbolic recognition—whether intentional or not—emboldens the Georgian Dream (GD) regime.
🧵Recent missteps show how GD exploits these moments to fake legitimacy while doubling down on repression.
1/10 Image
Take Alain Berset’s visit to Tbilisi in December. The Council of Europe Secretary General claimed he secured “concessions” on GD’s Russian-style Foreign Agents Law. But this week, GD made its position clear: no amendments. Berset was played. @alain_berset
coe.int/en/web/portal/…
By engaging on GD’s terms, Berset gave the regime an unearned diplomatic win—one they weaponized to project legitimacy. And when scrutiny passed, they reversed course, proving once again that negotiations with an entrenched autocracy are futile. @coe
3/10
civil.ge/archives/661247
Read 12 tweets
Feb 6
🇬🇪Imedi TV is not just biased—it’s a "machine of evil", built to manipulate, silence, and control.
Under Georgian Dream, it has transformed into a Russian-style propaganda weapon, crushing dissent and distorting reality.
🧵Here are firsthand accounts from those who escaped.Image
This thread is based on powerful reporting by @OCMediaorg, featuring testimonies from journalists who escaped Imedi’s grip. Their accounts expose how Georgian Dream has weaponized media to maintain power. Full credit to their work.
2/15
oc-media.org/a-cog-in-the-m…
Imedi’s stated goal? Prevent the opposition from ever returning to power. Journalists who defected describe it as a regime tool, spreading disinformation, vilifying critics, and advancing Ivanishvili’s interests—at the cost of Georgia’s democracy.
3/15
Read 15 tweets
Feb 4
🇬🇪Georgian Dream (GD) just unveiled a barrage of new repressive laws that will further dismantle democracy and centralize power.
The road to authoritarian rule is no longer a possibility—it’s the plan.
🧵A breakdown of Georgia’s descent into dictatorship. 👇 1/21Image
Self-proclaimed leader Mdinaradze framed the changes as necessary to remove “inefficient” laws and replace them with tools that give the government “real leverage.” What does this mean in practice? Criminalizing dissent, silencing opposition, and total control.
2/21Image
The changes are designed to crush protests and free speech, and shield officials from accountability:
🔹Public calls for violence now carry a prison sentence of up to 3 yrs
🔹“Insulting officials” becomes a punishable offense
🔹Administrative detention extended from 15 to 60 days Image
Read 25 tweets
Jan 29
🇬🇪BREAKING: The Council of Europe (CoE) has set strict conditions for granting Georgia’s ruling party, Georgian Dream (GD), credentials at PACE
Failure to comply by April 2025 could lead to full suspension—and open the door for more sanctions.
🧵The heat is on Georgian Dream ...Image
PACE’s conditions are clear and non-negotiable
📌 New, democratic elections under international monitoring
📌 End police brutality & repression
📌 Release political prisoners
📌 Repeal the “Foreign Agents” law
📌 Restore EU integration process
📌 Judicial & legislative reforms
NEW ELECTIONS
PACE @coe demands a new vote, as the October 2024 election was fraudulent.
Georgia must create a fair electoral environment by addressing irregularities.
✅ Ensure political independence of election bodies
✅ Allow full international oversight and monitoring
3/14
Read 14 tweets
Jan 27
🇬🇪Russia’s economy is under strict sanctions to weaken its ability to fund its war against Ukraine🇺🇦. Yet, oil continues to flow into Europe disguised as "Georgian-origin" products.
🧵🛢️A recent investigation reveals how Georgian Dream plays a key role in sanction evasion. Ill.: Caucasus Watch
This thread is based on an investigation by iFact, an organization dedicated to advancing investigative journalism in Georgia through evidence-based reporting. Their findings highlight critical gaps in sanction enforcement. Credit to their vital work.
ifact.ge/en/journey-of-…
In 2023-2024, Spain imported 99,000 tons of oil labeled as “Georgian,” valued at €49M. But here's the catch: Georgia doesn't produce anywhere near this amount of oil. The annual production is only 40,000 tons. So where is this oil really coming from?Image
Read 14 tweets
Jan 25
🇬🇪HELP! Georgia suffered a fraudulent election that dismantled democracy and led to a one-party parliament under Georgian Dream. The Council of Europe’s fact-finding mission confirms widespread human rights violations.
Georgian Dream must be denied credentials at PACE!Image
The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) must act. Article 8.2 of its Rules of Assembly allows for the rejection of credentials in cases of:
🔹Serious violations of CoE principles.
🔹Persistent failure to meet commitments.
Georgian Dream has crossed both lines. Image
The October election was rigged to erode public trust and undermine the democratic process. Georgian Dream’s so-called “parliament” is illegitimate and unrepresentative of the Georgian people’s will.
3/12 Image
Read 12 tweets

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