Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze has rejected reports that Tbilisi asked Washington what steps were needed to normalize bilateral relations, contradicting statements made by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
Rubio told a hearing in the U.S. House of Representatives that the Georgian government had approached the Trump administration with questions about improving relations, after which Washington reportedly outlined steps for progress. He added that the U.S. hopes the Georgian government will change its current trajectory.
Kobakhidze dismissed these claims, saying no such question had been asked by him or his colleagues. He argued that while discussions with U.S. counterparts had taken place and were constructive, Georgia had not requested a “roadmap” or specific instructions.
Instead, he said Georgia’s position is to seek a reset of strategic relations on equal and “fair” terms, stressing that the country is a sovereign state and not in a position to receive external directives on how to conduct its foreign policy.
