The European Commission has suspended all visa-free travel in the EU for Georgian diplomats and high-ranking government officials.

The Commission said the suspension comes in response to "Georgia's deliberate and persisting violation" of their commitments to  democracy, as well as human and fundamental rights.

"If a government attacks its own people, silences journalists, and curtails freedom, there are consequences," EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said in a statement.

Why is the EU suspending visas?

Since the Kremlin-friendly Georgian Dream party claimed victory in the 2024 Georgia elections, the country has been gripped by protests and political unrest. Authorities have responded with mass arrests, and there have been episodes of police violence.

"The people of Georgia have our full support but there is no place for those representing repression in our union," Kallas said.

Under the suspension, Georgian diplomats and other special passport holders must now obtain a Schengen visa before entering EU countries. Ordinary Georgian citizens, traveling on standard biometric passports, are not affected and can still enter the EU visa-free for short stays.

The EU said the suspension will last for a year but could be extended by additional two years if the Georgian authorities fail to address the ongoing political issues.

The Georgian government did not immediately respond to the move.

Tbilisi moving closer to Moscow

Last year, 19 out of the 27 EU countries already suspended visa privileges for Georgian officials.

At the time, the Georgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said this would "worsen rather than improve Georgia's relations with the European Union."

The EU's newest ruling, however, imposes the suspension uniformly across all member states.

In recent years, Georgia has warmed up its economic ties with neighboring Russia and taken a more authoritarian turn at home. The trajectory contrasts with the country's previous reputation as one of the most democratic and pro-Western states to emerge from the Soviet Union.

Edited by: Darko Janjevic