TBILISI. June 19 (Interfax) - It is difficult for Washington to continue building relations with Tbilisi at the current level if the Georgian authorities view the United States as an adversary, U.S. Ambassador to Georgia Robin Dunnigan said.
"Over recent days, senior members of the government, including the prime minister have said that they hope that we can put our relationship back on track. But we've also been very clear that the Secretary [of State Antony Blinken] is reviewing the entire relationship, from specific cooperation to assistance, across all agencies. [...] It's just a vast network of partnerships we've built across this country, and Secretary Blinken has been very clear that, unfortunately, all of that assistance is at risk. [...] We have made clear that it's very difficult to continue a strong partnership in all these areas, if the government considers us an adversary," Dunnigan said in an interview with the InterPressNews agency.
U.S. assistance provided to Georgia has been used to finance a large number of social programs, defense, and agriculture, she said.
"It's just a vast network of partnerships we've built across this country, and unfortunately, all of that assistance is at risk," she said.
Entry to the U.S. has been restricted for a number of individuals who are involved in violent actions against citizens, who undermine democratic principles, and who are linked to the adoption of the legislation on the transparency of foreign influence, she said, adding that the same measure has also been taken in relation to members of their families.
"Recent actions led to the Secretary [Blinken] determining that those individuals and their families, those individuals who are complicit in some of the actions undermining democracy, spreading disinformation, violence against citizens, will be restricted from entering the United States. [...] One tranche has been implemented, and those people who have visas were notified, they are no longer valid," Dunnigan said.
Nevertheless, the U.S. wishes to have a positive partnership with Georgia, while the adoption of restrictions is not directed against the Georgian people, she said.
"We want what's best for this country. We want this country to be successful," Dunnigan said.
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze told journalists on Monday that the opposition's emotions over the introduction of sanctions by the U.S. "are totally exaggerated."
"The announced decision on introducing sanctions is insulting to the Georgian state and Georgian society. It is not the right way to speak to a partner country," Kobakhidze said.
However, the Georgian authorities' willingness to build partner relations with the U.S. remains at the same level, he said.