Georgian lawmaker reacts to former USAID chief’s revelations on political interference

A member of Georgia’s ruling party Georgian Dream, Davit Matikashvili, has publicly reacted to statements made by former USAID Administrator Samantha Power, asserting that her admissions validate the Georgian government’s longstanding position regarding foreign funding aimed at influencing political regimes across Europe.

Matikashvili, commented following Power’s disclosure during a prank interview conducted by satirists known as Vovan and Lexus, Caliber.Az reports, citing Georgian media.

In the exchange, Power, who previously headed USAID and served as the US Ambassador to the United Nations, acknowledged that the agency had allocated tens of millions of dollars to support the establishment of President Maia Sandu’s administration in Moldova. She further noted that these financial channels were significantly curtailed with the onset of Donald Trump’s presidency.

“What Power has acknowledged confirms what we have long maintained: that USAID, over many years, invested millions of dollars—substantial financial resources—in various countries, including Ukraine and Moldova, with the explicit aim of bolstering preferred governments while undermining those considered undesirable,” Matikashvili stated.

He further criticized his own government’s stance, highlighting its alignment with the political philosophy championed during the Trump administration:

“The Georgian Dream government has consistently aligned itself with the policy framework articulated by Donald Trump. It openly acknowledges that these USAID funds were utilized not to promote democracy but rather to foment revolutions and create chaos. The lack of response from the US administration and the evident absence of support naturally provoke numerous questions,” Matikashvili added.

By Vafa Guliyeva