Levan Machavariani, a deputy from the ruling “Georgian Dream” party, stated that while the idea of a “reset” in relations with the US previously seemed unrealistic, the situation is different today.
According to him, following the change of administration in Washington (referring to Donald Trump’s victory in the presidential election — Ed.), the approach toward Georgia has shifted — the US itself is now interested in improving relations.
Machavariani claims that previous problems were not caused by the stance of the entire country or the American people, but by the decisions of a specific administration — the Joe Biden Administration.
This is why, the parliamentarian added, Tbilisi now expects a noticeable improvement in bilateral relations.
“If someone had said about a year ago that relations with the US needed to be reset, it would have seemed like a fairy tale to everyone. However, everyone can see how, step by step, we are rebuilding the relations that were damaged by the previous US administration.
Since the administration and its approaches have changed, we see that there is an interest in resetting relations with us. We have very positive expectations.
This was not the position of the US or the American people — it was the unfair position of a specific administration,” the “Georgian Dream” deputy stated.
As a reminder, in late March 2026, the first phone conversation took place between the Prime Minister of Georgia and the US Secretary of State. This marked the first full-scale communication between Irakli Kobakhidze and a high-ranking US State Department official after a prolonged pause in Georgian-American relations, for which “Georgian Dream” blames the previous administration under President Joe Biden, citing the influence of the “Deep State.”
At the time, Kobakhidze noted that the parties “emphasized the importance of renewing our partnership and strengthening Georgia’s role as a reliable partner in the South Caucasus.”
Responding to a question about Georgian-American relations in mid-February 2026, the Georgian Prime Minister stated that Tbilisi had already expressed its position regarding Washington multiple times. Georgia is ready to resume its strategic partnership with the US — this is a “very clear position, and we are waiting for steps in return,” he added.
Kobakhidze emphasized that the country’s authorities would wait for reciprocal steps from the Trump Administration as long as necessary, noting that the restoration of relations depends on the American side.
Relations between the US and Georgia currently leave much to be desired — the previous administration of President Joe Biden imposed sanctions against the founder of “Georgian Dream,” Bidzina Ivanishvili, as well as against former Interior Minister Vakhtang Gomelauri and the former deputy director of the Special Tasks Department (STD, special forces), Mirza Kezevadze, for repressions against participants in pro-European protest rallies.
Furthermore, the strategic partnership between the countries has been suspended.
Cooperation persists — primarily in the fields of security, defense, and economic aid. Washington continues to support Georgia’s territorial integrity and its course toward integration into NATO and the EU. Joint military exercises and training programs for Georgian forces are conducted regularly.
Speaker: Our main criterion is a new strategic partnership with the US