US Ambassador: “more important than ever” for Georgia, Ukraine to stand together against Russia’s aggression

The United States Ambassador to Georgia Kelly Degnan on Thursday said it was “more important than ever” to see Georgia and Ukraine stand together against Russia’s aggression, as both countries “know what it feels like to be occupied by Russia”.

It’s more important than ever right now that Georgia and Ukraine stand together against Russia’s aggression. Both countries know what it feels like to be occupied by Russia and any division between Georgia and Ukraine now only serves Russia’s purposes”, Degnan said.

She also commented on a statement by the US Department of State Spokesperson Ned Price, who on Wednesday said that “disinformation and personal attacks on Ambassador Degnan or her team are not consistent with how partners communicate with one another”, in remarks related to Georgia. Degnan pointed out that Washington was informed about developments in Georgia. 

Washington is very well-informed about what’s going on here in Georgia: they follow the news here, follow the developments here with great interest because Georgia is an important partner of the United States, and we care very deeply about the success of this country. That is why we have supported Georgia so closely and so broadly across the past 30 years”, the US Ambassador said.

Degnan underlined the desire of Georgian citizens to see the country continue on its path towards European integration, and the United States was “very proud” to support the process.

I represent the people of the United States. I don’t take anything that happens here in my capacity as the Ambassador personally. I represent the people of America and the President of the United States. What Mr. Price said is very true. We need to be respectful. We need to treat each other as the partners that we are”, she continued.