Kakha Kaladze, the secretary general of the ruling Georgian Dream party, on Thursday said he would welcome it if the United States, “the country’s strategic partner”, lifted visa restrictions for Georgian nationals, following Russia’s move last week to remove the ban. 

In his press comments Kaladze said the US issued “less visas” for Georgian nationals, than  neighboring countries. 

The comment came following the latest “campaign” by pro-Russian groups in the country that “If the US is the country’s real ally, it should also lift visa restrictions and ensure direct flights”. 

The posts mostly come with critical and humiliating inscriptions towards Kelly Degnan, the US ambassador to Georgia. 

Degnan has several times said Russia’s move to remove restrictions was a “trap” that aimed at creating obstacles to Georgia’s Euro-Atlantic aspirations.