Paris – 13.06.2026: The French Member of the European Parliament Thierry Mariani, a member of the Rassemblement National, has appeared multiple times on Georgian state television over the past two years. This has led to speculation that Mariani might be spreading Kremlin’s pro-Russian propaganda. The research team of “Vrai ou Faux” has thoroughly examined the circumstances of these appearances.
Mariani has been active in the European Parliament since 2019 and is known for his decidedly pro-Russian stance. He has often defended Kremlin policies and criticized Western media, which he believes distort the Russian point of view. His presence especially on the Georgian TV channel “Rustavi 2” is now being questioned in terms of whether it serves to disseminate Russian narratives.
“Rustavi 2” is a private channel with close ties to the Georgian government and is sometimes used as a medium to spread the Russian perspective on regional politics. Mariani’s appearances on this channel have therefore sparked discussions, particularly in the context of geopolitical tensions between Georgia, Russia, and the European Union.
Mariani himself stated that he does not speak on behalf of the European Parliament during his appearances. He emphasized that his aim is to promote dialogue between Europe and Georgia and that his statements reflect his personal opinions. So far, the Georgian government has not issued an official statement regarding the allegations.
However, within Georgia there are critical voices from politicians warning that too close ties to pro-Russian figures could compromise the country’s neutrality. They highlight the importance of a balanced foreign policy for Georgia’s aspirations to strengthen its relations with the European Union.
“Vrai ou Faux”’s analysis shows that Mariani participated in discussion panels about Europe-Russia relations without clear evidence of intentional propaganda dissemination. Nevertheless, his repeated media presence on state television raises questions about the impact on Georgia’s reputation in the international community.
This issue exemplifies the complex dynamics of geopolitical influence and media presence in a region that is geopolitically sensitive between East and West. Further investigations could clarify the extent to which political actors from the EU are involved in such tensions and how this affects the political development of the countries concerned.
In conclusion, it should be noted that the dissemination of propaganda in the international context is a multifaceted phenomenon requiring close observation and analysis. In Mariani’s case, the facts are not yet clear, but the situation illustrates the challenges faced by European foreign policy in geopolitically sensitive regions.