President Saakashvili said Russia’s “new old” leader Vladimir Putin’s remarks that “much will depend” on Georgia’s elections in terms of bilateral ties, amounted to setting “a new time and venue for a decisive battle”.

“Several days ago, the new old head of the invader set a new venue and new time for a decisive battle – Georgia’s parliamentary elections in autumn... But like they failed to defeat us with blockade, like they failed to defeat us with the war, they will fail to defeat us in a democratic struggle, because democracy is always won by the people and the Georgian people will definitely win this battle too,” Saakashvili said on March 12. 

Saakashvili made the remarks during a televised outdoor speech in Telavi, the main town of eastern Georgian region of Kakheti, where he announced about the launch of rehabilitation project of the town. He said GEL 120 million was made available from the government, the World Bank and private sector to rehabilitate 140 buildings and for infrastructure development in Telavi.