Kobakhidze Says He Raised Strategic Partnership With Trump and Rubio
By Messenger Staff
Tuesday, September 29, 2026
Georgian Dream Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze says he spoke briefly with U.S. President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio during a reception in New York and raised Georgia's desire to restore the countries' strategic partnership.
Kobakhidze said the conversations took place during his visit to New York for the UN General Assembly and that Georgia had already taken a step toward improving relations with Washington.
"I had the opportunity to speak with both the U.S. President and the U.S. Secretary of State, where I noted our desire to restore the strategic partnership," Kobakhidze told journalists at the memorial for those who died for Georgia's unity.
He said the exchanges were brief but described the atmosphere as positive.
"We have taken a step and are awaiting reciprocal steps," Kobakhidze said, adding that he conveyed the same message to both Trump and Rubio.
First Deputy Parliament Speaker Gia Volski said the exchanges were significant despite their short duration.
"A meeting, even a brief conversation or a short exchange of views, at such a representative international forum is quite important," Volski told journalists.
He said brief conversations between heads of delegations could help create a positive atmosphere even when there is not enough time to discuss issues in depth.
Opposition politician Teona Akubardia questioned Kobakhidze's account and the significance of the exchanges, saying that a substantive meeting would have been accompanied by a photograph or other public evidence.
"If there had been an opportunity for such a conversation with President Trump and Rubio that would have produced a photo, we would have already seen that photo," Akubardia said.
She argued that the reported brief conversation does not indicate a realistic reset in Georgia-U.S. relations and accused the government of trying to give the public the impression that it is working to restore ties with Washington.
Akubardia also pointed to closer U.S. ties with Armenia and Azerbaijan, saying Georgia risks being left behind as the two countries pursue strategic partnerships and investment linked to the regional peace process.
