Ivanishvili refuses to meet US Ambassador, Embassy

The United States Embassy in Georgia has said that Bidzina Ivanishvili, the founder and honorary leader of the ruling Georgian Dream party, had declined a request to meet with Ambassador Robin Dunnigan to receive a message from the Trump Administration.

In a statement released by the embassy on Wednesday, it was revealed that Ambassador Dunnigan sought a meeting on 22 May at the request of the US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The purpose was to convey a message from Washington and to outline specific steps the Georgian government could take to demonstrate its willingness to reset ties with the United States.

“The United States Embassy hopes the Georgian government sincerely wishes to return to 33 years of partnership and friendship with America and the American people,” the statement said.

The US and other Western partners have recently voiced concerns over a series of controversial legislative initiatives and what they view as democratic backsliding in Georgia.