Georgia is suspending talks on its bid to join the European Union for four years, its prime minister said Thursday, in view of what he described as “blackmail and manipulation” from some of the bloc’s politicians.

The European Parliament condemned the election results as "neither free nor fair" and blamed the ruling party for Georgia's continued democratic backsliding. In a resolution, lawmakers called for a rerun under international oversight and urged the EU to impose sanctions and limit formal engagement with Georgia's government.

The suspension of talks on Georgia's EU membership until 2028 was announced on Thursday by the country's Prime Minister, Irakli Kobachidze. Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobachidze announced on Thursday that Georgia is suspending talks with the European Union about membership in the organization until 2028.

Georgia on Thursday said it will suspend accession talks with the European Union until the end of 2028. Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze from the nationalist Georgian Dream ruling party said Brussels' demands for negotiations were a form of blackmail and said integration was a two-way process.

Protesters clashed with police in Georgia's capital of Tbilisi on Thursday after the government suspended talks on its bid to join the European Union for four years.

Georgia's ruling party said on Thursday that the country would suspend talks on European Union accession until 2028, while also refusing budgetary grants from Brussels, effectively halting its application to join the bloc,

Georgia's prime minister has declared that the South Caucasus country will put negotiations on its bid to join the EU on hold for four years.

The suspension of talks on Georgia's EU membership until 2028 was announced on Thursday by the country's Prime Minister, Irakli Kobachidze. Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobachidze announced on Thursday that Georgia is suspending talks with the European Union regarding membership in the organization until 2028.