The United States has rescinded an invitation to Georgia’s Prime Minister to attend a prestigious reception for world leaders hosted by President Joe Biden during the United Nations General Assembly this week, according to a U.S. official. This decision marks a significant strain in the once-strong relationship between the two nations, with concerns over Georgia’s recent political trajectory.
A U.S. official confirmed that the invitation for Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze had been withdrawn, and all meetings with the Georgian delegation were cancelled. This move is directly linked to Georgia’s controversial passage of a foreign agents law earlier this year. The U.S. believes that recent actions by the Georgian government are derailing the country’s prospects of joining both the European Union and NATO. According to Washington, these actions raise serious doubts about Georgia’s commitment to the West.
Georgia’s InterPressNews quoted the U.S. embassy in Tbilisi, highlighting that the invitation was withdrawn due to the government’s “anti-democratic actions, disinformation, and negative rhetoric” towards both the United States and the wider Western community. The Georgian parliament speaker, Shalva Papuashvili, dismissed the withdrawal as “frivolous,” further escalating tensions between the two countries.
Since its independence from the Soviet Union in 1991, Georgia has been a pro-Western nation, heavily reliant on U.S. aid and support. However, in recent months, its ties with Western powers have frayed, with accusations surfacing that the ruling Georgian Dream party has adopted increasingly authoritarian policies and pro-Russian leanings. These concerns have been amplified by the passage of the foreign agents law, which critics claim is inspired by Russian legislation used to silence opposition.
The controversial law forces organisations receiving over 20% of their funding from abroad to register as foreign agents, imposing strict reporting obligations and severe penalties for non-compliance. Western powers, including the U.S., have expressed concerns that the law could be used to suppress civil society and stifle dissent, reminiscent of Russian tactics used to clamp down on critics of the Kremlin.
The ruling Georgian Dream party, led by billionaire and former Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili, has come under heavy criticism from both domestic and international observers. The party, which is seeking a fourth consecutive term in the October parliamentary elections, has been accused of veering towards a more authoritarian stance, particularly through its support for the foreign agents law. Ivanishvili himself has hinted that if re-elected, the party might consider banning the pro-Western opposition United National Movement, further fuelling concerns over Georgia’s democratic trajectory.
Opinion polls suggest that while Georgian Dream remains the country’s most popular political force, its support has waned since its 2020 victory, when it secured nearly 50% of the vote. The party now faces growing opposition, particularly from those aligned with pro-European ideals, as it navigates a turbulent election campaign.
The deterioration in U.S.-Georgia relations became more evident when the U.S. imposed sanctions on two senior Georgian police commanders earlier this month. These commanders were implicated in the violent suppression of leaders of mass protests against the foreign agents law, deepening the rift between Washington and Tbilisi. This marks a significant departure from the historically close cooperation between the two nations, further highlighting the extent of the political fallout.
Adding to the mounting pressure, the European Union has also expressed serious concerns about Georgia’s current political climate. Last week, the EU warned that it might suspend its visa-free regime for Georgian citizens if the upcoming October election is not conducted in a free, fair, and peaceful manner. The EU, which had previously described Georgia’s application for membership as effectively “frozen,” is closely watching how the government handles the election process.
The coming months will be critical for Georgia’s future on the international stage, as both Western allies and domestic opposition parties await the outcome of the October election. With tensions escalating, the path forward for the small but strategically important nation remains uncertain.
