The Kremlin accused Western countries of "obvious attempts" to influence this month's elections in the Caucasus country of Georgia.
Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili accused Russia of trying to rig the election. The European Parliament (EP) has urged sanctions against the billionaire behind the ruling Georgian Dream party, Bidzina Ivanishvili, AFP reports.
"We see blatant attempts by Western countries to exert pressure on the incumbent authorities ... and exert direct and obvious influence on the election campaign," Kremlin press secretary Dmitry Peskov said.
He insisted that Georgia's elections "are none of our business."
"We are not trying to interfere in Georgia's internal affairs in any way and have no intention of doing so," Peskov said.
The Caucasus country formally became a candidate for EU membership last year. Since then, however, Brussels has warned Georgia that it is drifting away from its stated ambition.
In July, the European Parliament announced that the accession process was "de facto" on hold.
In 2012, when it came to power, Georgian Dream pursued a liberal pro-Western political agenda. But in recent years it has strengthened its anti-Western and anti-liberal positions.
The party is seeking a supermajority in parliament, which would allow it to constitutionally ban pro-Western opposition parties. | BGNES
