Nominee for US Ambassador to Georgia highlights “important steps” taken by country to support Ukraine
In her remarks at the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Dunnigan highlighted “Georgian people overwhelmingly support Ukraine in this war”. Photo: Department of State
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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.
The long-term strategic partnership and the prospects of future cooperation between Georgia and the United States were discussed on Saturday by Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili and General Christopher Cavoli, the Commander of US European Command, in a meeting held within the ongoing Munich Security Conference.
Georgia’s United States Ambassador David Zalkaliani on Friday said his country’s defence and security ties with the US had reached an “all-time high”, in comments on the meeting between the top defence officials of the two countries in the Pentagon on Thursday that came together with an announcement of additional $33 million in security aid for Georgia.
Georgian Defence Minister Juansher Burchuladze on Thursday hailed the country’s strategic partnership with the United States as “essential for Georgia's defence, deterrence and peaceful and stable development”.
US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and Georgian Defense Minister Juansher Burchuladze signed a memorandum of understanding on the Georgia Defense and Deterrence Enhancement (GDDE) Initiative earlier today in Tbilisi. “This initiative marks a new phase of our bilateral security cooperation, and it demonstrates the US’ commitment to supporting Georgia,” Austin said.
Arun Venkataraman, the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Global Markets and Director General of the United States Foreign Commercial Service, on Monday said the Georgian Government was complying with and respecting international sanctions and export controls imposed on Russia following its invasion of Ukraine.
The United States Senate on Friday officially confirmed Robin Dunnigan as the country’s new Ambassador to Georgia.