US Ambassador warns Georgian PM’s comments on sanctions could “further isolate” country from West

US Ambassador to Georgia Robin Dunigan on Wednesday reacted to Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze’s response to recent American sanctions on Georgian officials and citizens, warning such rhetoric could “further isolate Georgia from the West”.

Dunigan stressed the stance contradicted the “overwhelming desire” of the Georgian people for closer ties with Europe and the US.

The US imposed sanctions on four Georgian citizens, including Zviad Kharazishvili, head of the Special Tasks Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, his deputy Miller Lagazauri, and ultra-right conservative movement leaders Konstantine Morgoshia and Zurab Makharadze on Monday.

The sanctions followed concerns over “anti-democratic actions and disinformation campaigns” linked to the individuals.

Kobakhidze, reacting to the sanctions, described them as “frivolous and very sad” and suggested they were intended to influence upcoming October general elections. He further questioned the involvement of US President Joe Biden, implying that the sanctions were influenced by unnamed forces within the administration rather than Biden himself.

Ambassador Dunigan told the media at a meeting with the EU-Georgia Business Council, that such comments “do not help Georgia or its people.” She emphasized that such actions and rhetoric could further isolate Georgia from the West, which she claimed was on the contrary to the wishes of the Georgian populace, who “largely support Euro-Atlantic integration”.

Dunigan added, “there is no stronger supporter of the Georgian people and their integration with Europe and the West than the United States. Statements that attempt to isolate Georgia from the US are counterproductive and do not serve anyone’s interests.”

Following his meeting with Ambassador Dunigan, Kobakhidze’s press office issued a statement indicating that the US decision represented a “critical limit.” The statement suggested that further similar actions could lead to a “significant reassessment” of Georgia’s relationship with the US.

The State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller on Tuesday addressed the PM’s comments, asserting, “in the United States, unlike other countries in the world, political decisions are made by the democratically elected government and no one else.”