Nominee for US Ambassador to Georgia highlights “important steps” taken by country to support Ukraine

Robin Dunnigan, the nominee for the United States Ambassador to Georgia, on Thursday said the country had taken “important steps to support Ukraine” amid the ongoing Russian aggression.

In her remarks at the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Dunnigan highlighted “Georgian people overwhelmingly support Ukraine in this war”. 

They sent some critical energy equipment to help to repair the energy grid that Russia damaged when they started targeting civilian infrastructure. Georgia welcomed thousands of Ukrainian refugees. They also welcomed many Russian dissidents, activists and journalists when they fled Russia during the war”, Dunnigan said. 

The American diplomat stressed Georgia knew “too well” the threat “Ukraine is experiencing”, since Russia occupied Georgia’s territories since 2008.

Dunnigan also reviewed her priorities by saying she would work with the Georgian Government and citizens to help them realise their desire to further integrate with the European Union, NATO and the West.

Not only will Euro-Atlantic integration benefit the citizens of Georgia, I deeply believe it is in the US national interest. We want a democratic Georgia firmly integrated with the West, capable of defending its borders and able to withstand the pressure of Russian malign activities, including Russian disinformation. Georgia has made remarkable progress over the last 30 years, but some concerning developments show more remains to be done”, she noted. 

Dunnigan is set to replace Ambassador Kelly Degnan in Tbilisi when the latter’s term in the position expires later this year.