Georgia - U.S. Strategic Partnership

The role of the United States of America in the state-building process of Georgia has been invaluable, as demonstrated by its steadfast support for the country's sovereignty and territorial integrity. Furthermore, the United States has provided over $6 billion in financial assistance to Georgia to date.

Against the backdrop of the latest developments in Georgia and the anti-American rhetoric pursued by "Georgian Dream," the United States suspended its strategic partnership with Georgia two years ago. This decision was preceded by the suspension of financial assistance to the Government of Georgia by the then-U.S. administration due to anti-democratic actions and the dissemination of false statements regarding Washington's policies. Despite the change of government in the U.S. in 2024, the financial and visa restrictions imposed by the U.S. side remain in place against both high-ranking government officials and members of the ruling party. 

At the same time, despite its stated “efforts” to bring cooperation back to its normal course, Georgian Dream continues to undermine the importance of the strategic partnership with the United States and to mislead the public about its true state.

In the early years of Georgia's restored independence, facing existential challenges, U.S. support initially focused on humanitarian and technical assistance, the development of state institutions, and the strengthening of Georgia's defense and security. In response to Russia's military aggression against Georgia in 2008, the United States elevated its relationship with Georgia to the level of a Strategic Partnership. This was a powerful political gesture of support and confidence. It reaffirmed America's strong commitment to Georgia's sovereignty, territorial integrity, and its Euro-Atlantic aspirations. At the same time, the decision reflected Washington's determination to keep Georgia as a key pro-Western partner in the region and to strengthen its resilience in the face of continued Russian aggression and pressure. 

The Charter on Strategic Partnership signed in 2009 is the first historic document that - based on shared values and interests - elevated Georgia-US relations to a strategic level and created an institutional framework for cooperation in four core areas: democracy and governance; defense and security; economy, trade, and energy; and people-to-people relations. 

Political Support:

● The United States played a decisive role during the 2008 war through its political engagement and practical support. As a result, Russia failed to achieve its broader objectives: the full occupation of Georgian territory, the collapse of Georgia's state institutions, and a reversal of the country's Euro-Atlantic course. Those objectives remain central to RF's strategic agenda. Without U.S. support, Georgia's sovereignty, territorial integrity, and long-term development would have faced far greater challenges.

● Along with its European partners, as a result of active U.S. engagement and support, the Russian Federation, despite its relentless efforts, was unable to achieve international recognition of the "independence" of Georgia's illegally occupied regions of Abkhazia, Georgia and Tskhinvali/South Ossetia, Georgia. Moreover, since 2016, the United States has reinforced its support for the non-recognition policy of the occupied regions at the legislative level. The U.S. annual budget legislation (the Consolidated Appropriations Act), maintains important provisions for Georgia and reaffirms its unwavering support for the country's sovereignty and territorial integrity. Notably, under this legislation, no country is eligible to receive the funds appropriated by the Act if it has recognized the independence of the Russian-occupied regions of Abkhazia, Georgia or the Tskhinvali region/South Ossetia, Georgia, or has established diplomatic relations with them.

Strengthening the Country's Security and Defense Capability:

● As a result of the comprehensive transformation carried out with U.S. support and funding, Georgia's defense system reached a high degree of interoperability with NATO. 

● More than 30,000 Georgian military personnel have been trained and equipped by the U.S. Marine Corps and Army in compliance with U.S. and NATO standards. 

● With U.S. support, Georgia was given the opportunity to become a prominent contributor to global security. Notably, in NATO-led stabilization operations, Georgia was the number one contributor among non-alliance countries on a per capita basis, which significantly strengthened Georgia's image at the time as a reliable and responsible partner—a partner that acted like an ally. 

● With U.S. support, the capabilities of the Georgian Defense Forces in terms of deterrence, territorial defense, resistance, and resilience have been significantly strengthened. Today, the country possesses high-level anti-tank capabilities in its defense arsenal, including "Javelin" systems. 

● Elite units were trained to participate in the NATO Response Forces (NRF). 

● The capabilities of the National Guard of Georgia were developed and consolidated. 

● With the vital contribution and support of the US, the NATO-Georgia Joint Training and Evaluation Center (JTEC) was established. At the same time, a Combat Training Center (CTC) compliant with NATO standards was founded and equipped. 

● With American funding, a new multi-profile rehabilitation infrastructure was built to serve wounded/injured military personnel and their family members. 

● The Americans treated Georgian military personnel wounded in international missions free of charge, applying the same standard as in the case of wounded American soldiers.

● Under U.S.-funded international military education programs, including IMET, hundreds of Georgian military and civilian professionals studied at leading American defense and military institutions, including the National Defense University and the National War College. 

Since 1995, the U.S. has allocated approximately $2–2.5 million annually to support this important program, which contributed to the formation of a new generation of leaders in Georgia. U.S. support was invaluable in the implementation process of the Substantial NATO-Georgia Package (SNGP). 

● With U.S. involvement, two major multinational military exercises, Agile Spirit and Noble Partner, were regularly held in Georgia. These exercises contributed to the professional development of the Georgian Defense Forces, the enhancement of interoperability with NATO, and the deepening of practical military cooperation with partner countries. Agile Spirit was last held in August 2025 in Georgia and Turkey. As for Noble Partner, the exercise scheduled for August 2024 was postponed indefinitely by the U.S. side, and it was last held in Georgia in 2022. Notably, the US-planned international exercise "Trojan Footprint 2026" (for special operations forces) was held in Georgia in May, with its opening ceremony taking place in Mukhrovani. 

● U.S. financial and practical assistance is decisive in developing the country's border protection capabilities, including the provision of necessary modern equipment.

Strengthening Democracy and Governance:

The U.S. supported the strengthening of democratic institutions in Georgia, the establishment of high standards for the protection of human rights, and the rule of law. This support included, among other things, promoting judicial reform, improving the electoral environment, and increasing the accountability of public institutions. At the same time, the U.S. actively supported civil society, media freedom and the development of democratic institutions, all of them, critically important for Georgia's democratic transformation. 

Economy and Trade:

● The U.S. is one of Georgia's most prominent trading partners. 

● Back then, when Russia imposed an economic embargo on Georgia, the U.S. helped Georgia find new markets. 

● Approximately 3,500 types of Georgian products gained duty-free access to the U.S. market under the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) program. 

● Since 1993, the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) has allocated over $800 million to Georgia for the funding and political risk insurance of more than 65 projects. With the corporation's funding, numerous large-scale enterprises were expanded and created. Among them, a significant investment was directed toward the expansion of the Port of Poti, the construction of a new terminal, and additional storage infrastructure. 

Healthcare:

● The U.S. has allocated hundreds of millions of dollars to strengthen Georgia's healthcare sector, including support for modern laboratories, hospitals, the National Center for Disease Control and Public Health (NCDC), and critically important public health programs. With U.S. assistance, many doctors have been retrained. 

● With U.S. assistance, the Richard G. Lugar Center for Public Health Research, known as the Lugar Laboratory, was established and put into operation in Georgia. The center played a particularly important role in the management process of the COVID-19 pandemic and remains one of Georgia's most important public health institutions today. 

● The State Program for the Elimination of Hepatitis C in Georgia, which started in 2015, is one of the most successful and unprecedented examples of cooperation with the U.S. in the country's healthcare sector. With U.S. assistance, more than 80,000 citizens of Georgia have been fully cured to date. 

Education and People-to-People Relations:

● With U.S. support, including through the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), hundreds of schools in Georgia were rebuilt and renovated, student-centered education was introduced and developed in more than 2,000 public schools, teachers were retrained, hundreds of kilometers of roads were built, and support was provided to small and medium enterprises. 

● U.S. funding has strengthened STEM education in Georgia. The second MCC compact for Georgia represented $140 million in education-focused support aimed at developing human capital and STEM education. In this regard, it is noteworthy that with the involvement of San Diego State University, more than 600 students enrolled in internationally accredited STEM programs. 

● More than 6,000 Georgian students, researchers, teachers, and professionals have benefited from fully funded U.S. scholarships, exchange programs, training sessions, and cultural programs. 

● The U.S. used to issue 10-year multiple-entry visas to citizens of Georgia, though this practice is currently discontinued. 

Notably, the United States, through USAID alone, provided around $2 billion in assistance to Georgia in key areas such as democratic governance, economic growth, education, healthcare, resilience, and institutional development. Over the years, the United States has consistently supported state institutions at both central and local levels.

Definitely, this is only an incomplete list of the topics under the key areas within which our American partners have supported Georgia over the years.

The importance of Georgia-U.S. Strategic Partnership cannot be undermined; the facts clearly point to a very different reality.

Regional developments:

Today, the United States demonstrates a particular interest in the South Caucasus in terms of political, economic, energy security, and regional connectivity. This is reflected in President Trump’s active engagement in the historic peace process between Azerbaijan and Armenia, the development of strategic partnerships with both neighbouring states, and participation in the transit corridor initiative, TRIPP.

In this context, the recent high-level visits of the U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance to Azerbaijan and Armenia in February of this year, as well as to the U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio to Yerevan in May, demonstrate Washington’s active and expanding engagement in the region.

Regrettably, Georgia appears to be detached from these important regional dynamics. Rather than making use of emerging geopolitical opportunities and taking the necessary steps to restore strategic cooperation with Washington, the “Georgian Dream” government continues to pursue a course of growing isolation from the United States and its European partners, thereby posing a serious threat to