In a recent interview with Radio Free Europe, US Ambassador to Georgia, Robin Dunnigan, stated that the founder and Honorary Chair of the ruling Georgian Dream (GD) party, Bidzina Ivanishvili is placing his personal financial interests above the broader needs of the Georgian people. According to Dunnigan, Ivanishvili, who remains an influential figure in Georgian politics, declined several requests for meetings with high-ranking US diplomats, including three attempts during Dunnigan’s tenure as ambassador.
“I think it’s problematic when someone who is well-known to be leading the government and the ruling party in this country refuses to meet with international parties and strategic partners because of a mistaken perception about financial sanctions. Therefore, he puts his private financial interests above the interests of the people of Georgia,” Dunnigan stated.
Dunnigan further criticized Ivanishvili’s reluctance to engage in open dialogue with strategic partners, especially considering the strong support the US has provided to Georgia over decades.
“I don’t understand why, due to some perception regarding his own money, the honorary leader and chairman of the party, or in many respects, the leader of this government, would refuse to have an honest, direct conversation with us – Georgia’s partners, who have done nothing but support the country for 32 years,” she stressed.
The Ambassador’s remarks come amid growing speculation about potential US sanctions against Ivanishvili. When asked about reports that a draft of sanctions against Ivanishvili were prepared, the ambassador neither confirmed nor denied the claims. However, she reiterated US Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s statement that the US is reviewing its bilateral relations with Georgia comprehensively and that all foreign policy tools, including sanctions, remain on the table.
“We never announce sanctions in advance…But as we look at the full range of our bilateral relations, we don’t rule out using any of the tools at our disposal, and that includes sanctions,” Dunnigan explained.