US State Department working with allies to deprive Georgia of funding

The United States Department of State has announced that it is working with allies on the potential suspension of aid programs to Georgia, signalling a significant shift in political interaction with the country.

This move comes in response to recent legislative developments in Georgia, as reported by Caliber.Az, citing Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Joshua Huck.

"We are working closely with interagency colleagues on additional steps, including potential redirection or suspension of assistance programs and the cancellation of political engagements," stated Huck. This announcement underscores the United States' increasing concern over the political direction of Georgia.

The controversy centres around a new law on foreign agents, passed by the Georgian parliament on May 14. The law, supported by 84 deputies and opposed by 30, with 58 abstaining, has drawn significant criticism both domestically and internationally. President Salome Zurabishvili vetoed the bill, labelling it a "Russian law," but the parliament subsequently overrode her veto.

In response, the United States has initiated a campaign to withdraw international support from Georgia. This has included discussions with various allied nations on measures to reassess and potentially halt financial aid and political cooperation.

The Hungarian Foreign Ministry has also weighed in, condemning the Western reaction to Georgia's foreign agents law. Hungary's stance highlights the divided international opinion on the issue.

Earlier, Georgian officials accused the United States of "hypocrisy" in their response to the new legislation. This accusation points to growing tensions between the two countries as they navigate this contentious political landscape.