Georgia Faces Unrest After Halting EU Membership Bid

Violent clashes erupted in Georgia as protesters took to the streets of Tbilisi after the government announced it would suspend its bid to join the European Union until 2028. The decision, criticized as unconstitutional by over 100 diplomats, follows accusations of election irregularities and a shift towards closer ties with Russia. Riot police used pepper spray and water cannons to disperse demonstrators, resulting in 43 arrests and injuries to both police and protesters. The move has sparked widespread criticism, with many Georgians viewing it as a betrayal of their pro-European aspirations.