Georgia-US relations can ‘reset’ if Deep State loses battle with Trump administration, PM

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze said on Thursday that the country hoped for a reset in its relations with the United States if the so-called “Deep State” lost its “ongoing struggle” with the Donald Trump administration.

Speaking to journalists, Kobakhidze said that when the US stance towards Georgia did not change, it indicated that the influence of the “Deep State” remained strong. He added that Georgia continued to uphold its national interests in politics, economics, democracy, and human rights.

“We are absolute leaders in metrics where countries are ranked according to democracy, human rights, and economic performance. The rest is politics and specific political interests. We defend our national interests to the fullest - both politically and economically,” Kobakhidze said.

Regarding US-Georgia relations, the Prime Minister said “we hope that relations will reset if the Deep State loses this struggle with the Trump administration. In that case, our relations will improve. If the Deep State prevails, difficulties will continue, though we are accustomed to challenges. In any case, we will fully protect our national interests.”

Kobakhidze also recalled what he described as attempts by Deep State representatives to open a “second front” in Georgia, which he said his government had rejected.

“We have not been able to normalise relations with the Deep State because they wanted to open a second front here. A representative came to the Government Administration and requested this once, twice. We refused, and since then it has been difficult to manage relations with the Deep State. What matters to us is that relations reset and our strategic partnership is renewed. We await this patiently,” he said.