Under Trump administration, US also intends to sanction Georgian officials, expert Nika Chitadze

Nika Chitadze, a Georgian expert in international relations, has highlighted that the United States intended to impose sanctions on high-ranking Georgian officials under the recently passed Mobilizing and Enhancing Georgia’s Options for Building Accountability, Resilience, and Independence Act (MEGOBARI Act). 

The bill, which secured overwhelming support in the US House of Representatives with 349 votes in favor and 42 against Tuesday, now moves to the US Senate for further approval.

Cjitadze told Front News the legislation was expected to take effect approximately six weeks after being signed by the US President. “The next step will be for the US Senate to approve this act, and then it will be sent to the US President, who must sign the document. The implementation of the document in practice will begin approximately six weeks after the president's signature,” he explained.

The MEGOBARI Act, introduced in the House by Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC) and co-sponsored by bipartisan members, is designed to “counter the influence of authoritarian regimes,” particularly Russia, and to support Georgia's Euro-Atlantic integration aspirations.

Chitadze emphasized that this was the first time the US has adopted such a document targeting current high-ranking officials in Georgia. He noted that while the act imposed sanctions, it also provided an opportunity for the US to support Georgia in developing its democratic institutions.