Kakha Kaladze, the Secretary General of Georgia’s ruling party and Tbilisi Mayor, on Tuesday criticized US Senators Jim Risch and Jeanne Shaheen in response to their involvement in the MEGOBARI Act, a piece of legislation that he claimed represents a hostile approach toward Georgia.
Kaladze, speaking to reporters, questioned the senators’ motivations, labeling them as proponents of the so-called “Deep State” and accusing them of making anti-Georgian statements.
“These two people represent the ‘Deep State,’ which the newly elected President of the United States is actively fighting,” Kaladze said. “We are aware of their history of anti-Georgian rhetoric, and their actions demonstrate support for forces that are at odds with the interests of our country.”
Kaladze’s comments came after a question posed by Senators Risch and Shaheen about the MEGOBARI Act. The mayor dismissed the act’s purported aim of fostering friendship between the US and Georgia, calling it “cynical” and claiming that it was rooted in hostility.
“The name of the act itself is a deception,” Kaladze claimed. “It has nothing to do with friendship. This is about hostility. The senators involved are not representing the American state; they serve the interests of the ‘Deep State.’”
Kaladze went on to accuse elements of the US political establishment of trying to undermine President Donald Trump’s efforts to combat what he referred to as the “Deep State.” According to Kaladze, any action taken against the Deep State was immediately labeled as a “Russian project” by its detractors, a claim he dismissed as “a complete lie.”
“This approach is a well-known tactic,” Kaladze said. “Whenever actions are taken to challenge the Deep State, they try to wrap it up as a Russian initiative, even if it’s not true. This is not just happening in Georgia; it’s happening in the US as well.”
The official further claimed that Georgia’s government remained “committed to protecting the country’s interests and will resist any external influence attempting to use Georgia for foreign agendas”.
Meanwhile, Petre Tsiskarishvili, Secretary General of the Unity – National Movement opposition, also weighed in on the MEGOBARI Act, highlighting its potential to deepen US-Georgia relations. However, Tsiskarishvili contended that such a partnership was impossible under the current leadership of Georgia, whom he accused of steering Georgia toward Russia and undermining democracy.
“The MEGOBARI Act signals the great potential for Georgia to build a strong partnership with America, including the possibility of a visa-free regime and free trade,” Tsiskarishvili said. “However, this is not achievable under the current regime, which is turning towards Russia and weakening Georgia’s democratic institutions.”
The MEGOBARI Act is set to be discussed in the US Senate today, where the Georgian government’s actions will be scrutinized.
