Georgian ruling party MP cites Samantha Power remarks in criticism of US policy

Levan Machavariani, deputy chair of the Georgian Dream parliamentary faction, on Thursday seized on remarks by former USAID head Samantha Power to renew criticism of Washington’s stance towards Tbilisi.

The MP described Power’s “acknowledgement that USAID had spent tens of millions of dollars in Ukraine and Moldova” as a “further confirmation” of what the government in Tbilisi “had been saying for years.”

Machavariani claimed the comments “aligned closely with US President Donald Trump’s views,” but questioned why the current US administration remained “silent” on Georgia.

He alleged that foreign-funded NGOs were sometimes involved in helping keep “deep state–aligned” governments in power, while also working to unseat others. He linked the remarks to an ongoing investigation by Georgia’s Prosecutor’s Office, which has frozen the accounts of seven prominent NGOs.

“Instead of even minimal gratitude, we see absolute silence, which naturally raises questions within our team,” Machavariani said.