In Tbilisi, protesters hung the flag of Ukraine on the Christmas tree (photo).

Protests in central Tbilisi hindered the completion of setting up the Christmas tree near the parliament on Rustaveli Avenue. The protesters stopped the process and decorated the tree themselves.

The installation of the tree began on the night from Saturday to Sunday, when the square was empty of protesters. But on the evening of December 8, activists returned and forced the workers to stop the decoration.

The top part of the tree remained decorated with artificial branches, while the lower part became a symbolic protest site. The frame of the tree was adorned with the flags of Georgia, the EU, Ukraine, and the USA, along with photographs of journalists who suffered during the dispersal of rallies or attacks.

The authorities deployed police near the tree. Tbilisi Mayor Kaha Kaladze stated that the tree would definitely be decorated properly.

The leader of the 'Georgian Dream' party announced that Tbilisi's New Year slogan will be 'a city full of victories'. The idea for the slogan arose after sports victories that united Georgian society and brought 'great joy'.

It is worth noting that protests in Georgia have been ongoing since November 28 due to the halt of the Eurointegration process. Despite the dispersals, Georgians come to the center of the capital every evening. Recently, unknown assailants attacked media workers and activists of opposition parties.

The President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky imposed sanctions against the current authorities of Georgia, including the honorary head of the 'Georgian Dream' party Bidzina Ivanishvili and other officials.