Georgians ‘must see’ they are being deceived by ‘Russian regime’, opposition leader in response to Rubio

Georgian opposition leader Salome Samadashvili on Thursday responded to recent remarks by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, warning that the country was “being misled by a pro-Russian agenda under the ruling Georgian Dream party.”

In a statement following Rubio’s comments before the US Congress, Samadashvili, a senior figure in the Strong Georgia coalition, said the Georgian public “must recognize the extent to which the Russian regime is influencing domestic politics.”

“People need to see that the Russian regime is deceiving them,” she said. “This is especially important for those who believed the Georgian Dream’s propaganda. Even their voters must understand how dangerous it is for Georgia to be left without the strategic support of the United States.”

Her remarks come after Rubio signaled a potential shift in US policy toward Georgia, expressing concern over what he described as an “anti-American government” operating in a strategically vital region. Rubio told lawmakers that the US was reviewing possible measures to hold the Georgian government accountable if it continued on its current trajectory.

Congressman Joe Wilson, co-author of the MEGOBARI Act, had earlier accused the Georgian Dream leadership of electoral fraud, hostility toward US partnerships, and alignment with the Chinese Communist Party. He urged the State Department to respond forcefully in defense of pro-Western Georgians.

Rubio, in response, said the administration was considering “appropriate measures” and was seeking input from regional bureaus on how best to respond to a government pursuing anti-American policies.