The United States of America, as part of a comprehensive review of bilateral cooperation, is suspending over $95 million in direct aid to the government of Georgia. This was announced in a statement by Secretary of State Antony Blinken, released today.
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“On May 23, after anti-democratic actions by the Georgian government, I announced a comprehensive review of bilateral cooperation between the United States and Georgia. As a result of that review, the United States is pausing more than $95 million in assistance that directly benefits the Government of Georgia,” said Anthony Blinken.
The U.S. Secretary of State stated that the Georgian government's anti-democratic actions and false statements do not align with the norms of membership in the European Union and NATO.
“While we are pausing our assistance to the Government of Georgia due to those actions, the United States will continue assistance to programs and activities that benefit the people of Georgia by strengthening democracy, rule of law, independent media, and economic development,” said Anthony Blinken.
His statement also highlighted that over 32 years of friendship and partnership, the US has allocated more than $6.2 billion in aid. This support has contributed significantly to the development and strengthening of Georgia's economy and democratic institutions.
“Our support has helped equip and train Georgia’s Defense Forces and Coast Guard, built schools and hospitals, and trained teachers, civil servants, and medical professionals. We will remain committed to the Georgian people and their Euro-Atlantic aspirations,” the state secretary said.
The members of the Helsinki Commission called on Antony Blinken to take "immediate and decisive" action regarding the situation in Georgia. In a letter dated July 26 and signed by Congressman Joe Wilson, Steve Cohen, Richard Hudson, and Mark Wiss, they discussed imposing individual financial sanctions on the honorary chairman of the ruling Georgian Dream, Bidzina Ivanishvili, and his close circle.
