Prepared by Messenger Staff
Rubio, Kobakhidze Discuss Security in Phone Call Amid Frozen Ties
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Georgian Dream Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze spoke by phone on March 30, focusing on regional security, according to the United States Department of State.
"They discussed areas of mutual interest, including security in the Caucasus and Black Sea region," the statement said, attributed to spokesperson Tommy Pigott.
Kobakhidze said the call addressed restoring relations. "We emphasized the importance of resetting our partnership and reinforcing Georgia's role as a strong partner in the South Caucasus," he wrote. "Committed to strengthening Georgia-U.S. ties and advancing regional stability and connectivity."
The call comes as bilateral ties remain suspended. The United States halted its strategic partnership with Georgia in November 2024 under Joe Biden, and relations have not recovered since.
Georgian Dream officials have said they expect improvement under Donald Trump.
The call follows a visit to Tbilisi by Peter Andreoli, who met officials and opposition figures and visited the Anaklia Deep Sea Port project, which remains delayed.
Russian Intelligence Accuses Ecumenical Patriarch of 'Divide and Rule' Tactics in Georgia
Russia's Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) issued a formal statement on Tuesday, March 31, 2026, accusing Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I of interfering in the internal affairs of the Georgian Orthodox Church following the death of Patriarch Ilia II.
The SVR stated that Patriarch Bartholomew "continues to persistently pursue a treacherous course toward the schism of global Orthodoxy, guided by the principle of 'divide and rule'." The agency alleged that he is "taking advantage" of the current vacancy in Georgia to bring the church under his influence by promoting specific candidates, namely Metropolitan Abraham (Garmelia) and Metropolitan Gregory (Berbichashvili), whom he reportedly views as "executors of his will."
The statement further claimed that "lust for power has become a constant companion of the Constantinopolitan schismatic," accusing Bartholomew of substituting "primacy of honor" with "primacy of power." The SVR concluded by warning that the Patriarch has ignored the historical rules of the Second Ecumenical Council, which forbid regional bishops from extending authority beyond their own territory.
