Georgian PM Describes U.S.-Georgia Relations as 'Active-Negative' Amid Sanctions and Political Tensions
By Liza Mchedlidze
Friday, May 16, 2025
Georgian Dream Prime Minister and party chair Irakli Kobakhidze described the current U.S.-Georgia relationship as "active-negative," stating that it can no longer be considered "neutral" because of already-imposed and upcoming sanctions on Georgian Dream officials.
"The silence of the new U.S. administration is not real silence. You can only describe the situation as 'silent' if relations are neutral. But our relations are not neutral," Kobakhidze said on Imedi TV on May 14.
Kobakhidze noted that the Biden administration has already sanctioned high-ranking Georgian officials, including Vice Prime Minister and Interior Minister Vakhtang Gomelauri, as well as other law enforcement leaders.
"We must also mention the MEGOBARI Act and other measures. This is not a neutral or passive status. Our relations are in an 'active-negative' phase," he said.
He added that the ruling party is in "waiting mode" to see what position Donald Trump will take. Georgian Dream claims it shares values with Trump and hopes for a reset in relations that, in their view, will depend on the outcome of what they call a struggle between Trump and the "deep state."
"We are hopeful there will be a response, but we'll see. Everything depends on who wins the battle - Trump or the deep state," Kobakhidze said. "We hope Trump wins, but we are prepared for all outcomes. We will defend Georgia's national interests to the end."
However, Georgian Dream's reliance on Trump may be challenged as the MEGOBARI Act, calling for broader sanctions on GD officials and their family members-moves forward. The bill passed the U.S. House of Representatives on May 6 and was added to the Senate's legislative calendar the next day. If passed there, it could eventually be signed into law by Trump himself.
"We must stay optimistic. We hope the deep state will lose or be weakened, and relations will reset," Kobakhidze said.
He also criticized the bill's co-sponsor, Rep. Joe Wilson, calling him a "tiny agent" of the deep state. "They picked this person and made him write these things. If you asked him where Georgia is, he might not even be able to point to it on a map. But sometimes he posts five or six times about Georgia."
"When someone claims there is a pro-Iranian government in Georgia, there should be a basis for that. It's completely absurd. I won't even mention the claims about Russia and China. Doesn't this discredit everything coming from the U.S. and Europe?" Kobakhidze said. "Even the Soviet Communist Party's Central Committee never said things like some current American and European officials are saying."
"What do they want from our small country?" he asked. "It's ridiculous to say they're concerned about democracy here," he continued, adding that Georgia leads many global governance rankings.
Kobakhidze also repeated claims that some foreign actors want to drag Georgia into the war in Ukraine, a narrative commonly pushed by Georgian Dream.
He targeted USAID and the National Endowment for Democracy (NED), calling them foreign influence tools that have "spread hatred in Georgian society," comparing their tactics to those of the KGB in the 1990s.
"I remember the early 1990s, when the KGB deliberately fueled hate within Georgian society," he said. "Since then, no one has spread more hatred than USAID, NED, and similar funds." He also accused these groups of funding attacks on the Georgian Orthodox Church.
When asked what would happen if the U.S. doesn't respond to his letter, Kobakhidze said it would mean the deep state is not weakening.
"In that case, we'll face more challenges in U.S.-Georgia relations. But I'll say again-we've defended our national interests under tougher conditions before, and we're ready for worse, including if Trump's opponent, Kamala Harris, wins. That would mean the deep state stays in power, and we'll still defend national interests."
Kobakhidze concluded by saying the state of bilateral relations doesn't depend on the Georgian government. "It's simple," he said. "If Trump weakens the deep state, U.S.-Georgia relations will reset. If not, the status quo will remain - what I call a one-sided friendship."
