US Senator Shaheen discusses Georgia with forthcoming State Secretary amid strategic partnership freeze

US Senator Jeanne Shaheen, a senior member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, has addressed the importance of US-Georgia relations following recent tensions. Speaking after a meeting with Senator Marco Rubio, President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for Secretary of State, Shaheen highlighted Georgia’s strategic significance amid ongoing global challenges such as support for Ukraine and countering China’s influence.

The Biden administration recently suspended its strategic partnership with Georgia, citing the Georgian Dream government’s postponement of EU accession negotiations until 2028 and its use of force against protestors. Additional concerns include the controversial foreign agents law and anti-Western rhetoric from Georgian officials, which Washington has criticized as undermining democratic and Euro-Atlantic integration.

Meanwhile, the Georgian Dream government has expressed optimism about resetting ties with the United States under the incoming Trump administration, hoping for renewed collaboration.