Georgian Prime Minister Threatens to Reevaluate U.S.-Georgia Relations After Sanctions, Meets with U.S. Ambassador
By Messenger Staff
Wednesday, September 18, 2024
Following the U.S. State Department's announcement of sanctions, Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze met with U.S. Ambassador to Georgia, Robin Dunnigan.
According to information released by the Georgian government, Kobakhidze expressed to the ambassador that the U.S. is approaching a "critical threshold" and warned that another similar decision could lead to a "fundamental reassessment of Georgian-American relations."
The government's statement further mentioned that Kobakhidze "expressed personal respect for the ambassador" but also voiced concern over the State Department's recent sanctions.
"[Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze] pointed out that with this decision, the American side has approached a critical threshold, and another similar move could lead to a fundamental reassessment of Georgia's stance on Georgian-American relations. It was noted during the meeting that the U.S. State Department's decision is aimed at improving the opposition's chances ahead of the elections, but it is entirely counterproductive. In reality, it will neither benefit the opposition's electoral results nor intimidate the ruling party."
The Prime Minister also asserted that, on the contrary, the decision by the State Department "will further strengthen the public's motivation to stand firmly in defense of Georgia's independence and sovereignty on October 26," according to the government's release.
The U.S. State Department recently imposed sanctions on over 60 members of the Georgian government and parliament, including their family members, for undermining democracy. Additionally, the U.S. Treasury Department sanctioned senior officials from the Ministry of Internal Affairs, including Zviad Kharazishvili and his deputy, Miller Lagazauri, as well as two members of the pro-Russian and violent group Alt-Info, Zura Makharaidze and Konstantine Morgoshia.
