US sanctions former Georgian prime minister Bidzina Ivanishvili for undermining democracy
reuters.com — December 27, 2024, 06:01 PM UTC
The U.S. has imposed sanctions on Bidzina Ivanishvili, a former prime minister of Georgia, for actions undermining democracy in the country. Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated that Ivanishvili's policies benefit Russia and threaten Georgia's Euro-Atlantic future. These sanctions come amid growing tensions between Georgia and the West, particularly after the Georgian Dream party froze EU talks until 2028. Protests erupted following a disputed election in October, leading to a crackdown on opposition figures. Ivanishvili's assets in the U.S. are now frozen. The Georgian Dream party claims to support democracy while maintaining ties with Russia, despite widespread public discontent towards Moscow.