Russia cited Salome Zourabichvili's memoir in Hague case, prompting calls for Western scrutiny of Georgian officials' actions

Russia's 2009 preliminary objections to Georgia's case at the International Court of Justice incorporated excerpts from Salome Zourabichvili's memoir, portraying Tbilisi as pursuing armed retaliation. The author, a former foreign minister who later became president, had written the book while serving in Paris and released it in 2008. The analyst points out that her ascent to the presidency was facilitated by billionaire Bidzina Ivanishvili, who financed her campaign and presented her as an independent candidate.

During her term, Zourabichvili faced criticism for pardoning convicted murderers, prompting her to suspend her own pardon powers. The column argues that Western policymakers should assess Georgian leaders by their actual policies and legal entanglements rather than by nominal affiliations. It warns that Moscow can weaponize the statements of officials who outwardly align with the West to further its own strategic aims.