US ‘won’t refrain’ from additional measures on Georgia ‘if necessary’, State Department

The United States may take further action regarding Georgia if deemed necessary, State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said on Monday, reiterating Washington’s commitment to the Georgian people and their aspirations for closer European integration.

“We stand by the Georgian people. We have made this clear”, Miller said, adding that the US “fully supports” Georgia’s ambition to join the European Union and deepen its ties with Euro-Atlantic partners.

Miller noted that the US has already paused $95 million in aid to the Georgian government, citing recent developments in the country. “We are in the process of reviewing significant aid to the government of Georgia, and we have suspended $95 million of that aid because of the steps they have taken”, he said.

The State Department continues to monitor the situation and may consider additional measures, he said. “We will continue to evaluate whether additional measures are necessary and, if so, we will not shy away from using them”, Miller affirmed.

The US paused its aid to Georgia earlier this year after the adoption of the controversial foreign influence transparency law. Washington has also imposed sanctions on dozens of Georgian nationals for “undermining democracy” and alleged violations of human rights.