US suspends $95 million in aid to Georgia - Blinken
Photo: Antony Blinken, US Secretary of State (Vitalii Nosach, RBC-Ukraine)
The United States has decided to freeze $95 million in aid to Georgia. The reason is the Georgian parliament's adoption of a law similar to Russia's foreign agents law, according to a statement from US Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
The Secretary of State reminded that on May 23, following the anti-democratic actions of the Georgian government, he announced a comprehensive review of US-Georgian relations.
"As a result of that review, the United States is pausing more than $95 million in assistance that directly benefits the Government of Georgia," Blinken added.
He specified that, despite this decision, the US will continue to assist with programs and initiatives that benefit the people of Georgia by strengthening democracy, the rule of law, independent media, and economic development.
According to Blinken, over 32 years of partnership between the two countries, the US has provided Georgia with more than $6.2 billion in aid. This funding has been directed towards equipping and training Georgia’s defense and coast guard forces, building schools and hospitals, and training teachers, public servants, and medical professionals.
What preceded
Earlier, the Georgian parliament passed a law on the transparency of foreign influence. A similar law has been in effect in Russia for several years.
The initiative requires Georgian organizations receiving foreign funding to register as foreign agents.
These actions by the Georgian government have sharply deteriorated the country’s relations with the West. In particular, the process of Georgia’s accession to the European Union was halted. Additionally, the US has imposed sanctions on several Georgian officials.
