2025年10月5日，格魯吉亞(喬治亞)首都第比利斯爆發近年來規模最大的反俄示威活動，數以萬計的民眾湧上街頭，高喊「遠離俄羅斯、加入歐盟」的口號，抗議政府中止歐盟入會進程、轉而推行被視為「親俄」的外交方針。這場抗爭迅速演變為全國性政治風暴，反映出格魯吉亞社會長期積累的不滿與焦慮。

事件的導火線來自於政府近日宣布「暫停歐盟入會談判」，此舉被民眾視為背叛國家長期的歐洲整合目標。更令人憤怒的是，就在同一週，政府所舉行的地方選舉被外界指控存在舞弊與不透明操作。許多反對派人士與民間團體認為，這場選舉是政府鞏固權力、打壓民主聲音的手段，加深了民眾對政府的不信任。

10月5日下午，大批示威者聚集在第比利斯的自由廣場與國會大廈前，他們揮舞著格魯吉亞、歐盟及烏克蘭的旗幟，高呼支持歐洲價值與民主制度的口號，並要求政府重新啟動入歐進程。抗議人群中有許多年輕世代，他們普遍認為，格魯吉亞若繼續親近莫斯科，終將重蹈烏克蘭戰爭的覆轍。

對此，總理伊拉克利·科巴赫澤（Irakli Kobakhidze）在當晚發表電視談話，堅稱選舉「完全合法、公平透明」，並指責示威者「受到外國勢力煽動」，甚至宣稱政府將採取「一切必要手段」維持秩序。這番言論被視為對民眾的警告，也引發更多憤怒。警方隨後在市中心部署防暴部隊，使用催淚瓦斯與高壓水炮驅散群眾，數十人被捕，現場一度爆發激烈衝突。

這場抗議的背後，是格魯吉亞長期陷於地緣政治撕裂的深層矛盾。自1991年蘇聯解體以來，格魯吉亞始終在「親歐」與「親俄」之間擺盪。2008年南奧塞梯戰爭後，俄羅斯實際控制南奧塞梯與阿布哈茲兩個地區，使得格魯吉亞喪失約20%的領土，也在國內形成強烈的反俄情緒。然而，現任政府自2020年代中期起逐漸與莫斯科修復關係，並放緩與歐盟的合作步伐，引發了民眾的不安與憤怒。

許多格魯吉亞學者與政治觀察家指出，這場示威不僅是針對某次政策決定，更是民眾對長期政治腐敗、民主倒退與經濟停滯的全面反彈。過去三年，格魯吉亞社會持續出現要求「去俄化」與「重返歐洲道路」的集會，象徵著年輕一代對自由與法治的強烈渴望。

截至目前，抗議仍在持續蔓延，反對派領袖呼籲國際社會介入，譴責政府鎮壓行動，並要求歐盟重新審視與格魯吉亞的關係。整個第比利斯陷入緊張氣氛，街頭的歐盟旗幟與警車警燈交織成象徵國家未來方向的衝突畫面。格魯吉亞的命運，再次站在歐俄之間的十字路口。

On October 5, 2025, massive anti-Russian demonstrations erupted in Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia, marking one of the largest protests the country has seen in recent years. Tens of thousands of citizens filled the streets, chanting slogans such as “Away from Russia, Join the EU,” to denounce the government’s decision to suspend its European Union accession process and adopt a pro-Russian foreign policy. What began as a political protest quickly turned into a nationwide movement, exposing deep-seated public anger and frustration.

The immediate trigger was the government’s recent announcement to “pause EU membership negotiations,” a move many saw as a betrayal of Georgia’s long-standing aspiration to integrate with Europe. The situation worsened when a controversial local election—held earlier that week—was accused of being fraudulent and manipulated in favor of the ruling party. Opposition groups and civil society organizations condemned it as an attempt to consolidate power and suppress democratic opposition, fueling widespread distrust.

On the afternoon of October 5, massive crowds gathered at Tbilisi’s Freedom Square and in front of the Parliament building. Protesters waved Georgian, EU, and Ukrainian flags while chanting in favor of democracy and European values, demanding that the government restart EU accession talks. A significant portion of the demonstrators were young people who believe that aligning with Moscow could lead Georgia down the same path as war-torn Ukraine.

Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze addressed the nation that evening, insisting that the elections were “completely legal, fair, and transparent.” He accused the protesters of being “influenced by foreign agents” and vowed to use “all necessary measures” to restore order. His statement was widely interpreted as a threat, further enraging the public. Riot police were soon deployed throughout central Tbilisi, using tear gas and water cannons to disperse the crowds. Clashes broke out, and dozens of protesters were arrested.

Beneath the immediate unrest lies a deeper geopolitical and social struggle. Since the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, Georgia has been torn between two poles: integration with the West or reconciliation with Russia. After the 2008 war over South Ossetia, Russia effectively occupied both South Ossetia and Abkhazia, stripping Georgia of about 20% of its territory. This deepened anti-Russian sentiment domestically. However, in recent years, the current government has moved to restore ties with Moscow while slowing cooperation with the EU—decisions that have sparked fears of democratic backsliding and economic stagnation.

Political analysts note that the current protests are not only about foreign policy but also reflect a broader backlash against corruption, authoritarian tendencies, and social inequality. For the past three years, Georgians—especially the younger generation—have repeatedly taken to the streets demanding “de-Russification” and a return to the European path, seeing EU integration as essential for freedom, stability, and prosperity.

As of now, protests continue to spread nationwide. Opposition leaders are calling on the international community to condemn the government’s use of force and to reconsider its engagement with Tbilisi. The capital remains tense, its streets filled with both EU flags and police sirens—symbolizing a nation once again standing at the crossroads between Europe and Russia.