TBILISI, Georgia (AP) — Police and protesters brutally clashed in Georgia after the country's ruling party suspended negotiations to join the European Union until 2028.

Georgia’s prime minister says the country will suspend negotiations on joining the European Union in view of what he described as “blackmail and manipulation” from some EU politicians.

Police in Georgia arrested dozens of people overnight and early Friday in a violent crackdown on protests against the government's decision to delay EU membership talks.Ukraine and Poland said Friday they were "disappointed" by Tbilisi's decision to pause EU accession talks,

Georgia has suspended its bid to join the European Union, prompting thousands of protesters to take to the streets, where they clashed with police in the capital of Tbilisi.

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.

Police in Tbilisi fired water cannons at protesters who took to the streets after Georgia’s ruling party suspended negotiations to join the European Union until 2028.

Georgian riot police deployed tear gas and rubber bullets against demonstrators protesting a government decision to delay pursuing European Union accession.

Georgian riot police on Friday deployed tear gas and water cannon against demonstrators protesting a government decision to delay pursuing European Union accession, AFP reporters witnessed.

Georgian riot police on Friday deployed tear gas and water cannon against demonstrators protesting a government decision to delay asking for European Union accession, AFP reporters witnessed.