**US Senator Visits Georgia Amid Tensions in US-Georgia Relations**
United States Senator Steve Daines is currently on a visit to Georgia, meeting with both government representatives and opposition parties. The visit comes at a time when relations between the US and Georgia are under scrutiny.
According to the US Embassy in Georgia, Senator Daines plans to discuss various issues, including rule of law, business and foreign investment priorities, and how the Georgian government can improve its relationship with the United States. He will also convey President Trump’s top priorities, including his “America-first” agenda philosophy.
This visit is part of a regional tour by Senator Daines, who has already met with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev in Baku on May 29. The US Embassy said that Senator Daines’ visit to Georgia comes amid a critical review of US-Georgia relations. In November last year, the US suspended its strategic partnership with Georgia after the country’s ruling party decided to abandon its EU accession bid.
**US Sanctions and Georgian Government Tensions**
The Georgian government has been facing international isolation due to sanctions imposed by the US Treasury Department on Bidzina Ivanishvili, the honorary chairman of the ruling Georgian Dream party. Ivanishvili recently said that he refuses to meet with US officials due to “personal complexes” triggered by the sanctions and fears of being “blackmailed.”
In a statement, Ivanishvili suggested that President Trump is engaged in a “fight” against the so-called “deep state,” and that a reset in US-Georgia relations depends on the outcome of this struggle. If Trump wins, he insisted, the reset will favor Georgian Dream.
**Opposition Leader Speaks Out**
However, President Salome Zurabishvili, who leads the opposition’s Resistance Platform, has spoken out against these claims. She met with Senator Daines and said that he heard not only about domestic affairs but also strategic challenges facing America in the region and in Georgia, which necessitates greater attention from the US.
**Background and Analysis**
The visit by Senator Daines comes amid a complex web of tensions between the US and Georgian governments. The suspension of the strategic partnership with Georgia last November was seen as a significant blow to relations between the two countries.
The Georgian government has been accused of undermining rule of law, allowing Russia to increase its influence in the country, and ignoring concerns raised by international partners. In response, Secretary of State Rubio called Georgian Dream an “anti-American government,” warning of consequences if these issues are not addressed.
Senator Daines’ visit aims to address some of these concerns and promote US interests in the region. However, it remains unclear how effective this visit will be in improving relations between the US and Georgia, particularly given the Georgian government’s refusal to engage with US officials due to sanctions.
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