Several EU countries are pushing for sanctions against Georgia, including the suspension of visa-free travel to the bloc, in response to the government’s defiant stance on its Russian-inspired “foreign agents” law.

Georgia, an EU candidate country, has defied warnings from Brussels and months-long street protests, pressing ahead with the controversial law, which is similar to one already in place in Russia that obliges media and rights groups that receive foreign funding to register with the government. 

Estonia, the Netherlands, the Czech Republic and Sweden are leading an initiative to discuss restrictive measures at a meeting of EU foreign affairs ministers next week, according to people briefed on the discussions. Options include revoking visa-free travel to the EU for Georgian nationals, targeted sanctions and the freezing of EU funds, two of the people said.