The United States has sanctioned ivanishvili" target="_blank">Bidzina Ivanishvili for undermining Georgia's democratic and Euro-Atlantic future in favor of Russia, according to a ivanishvili/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR02RGm0rCOXXoW9-CQkdjwGUYnN3I01rW5EuCpSnB5YZZh1cYfGFGYHkXo_aem_Ck5Q0-osLf3yXFrpTjvaZg">statement by U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

“The United States is designating Bidzina Grigoris Dze Ivanishvili, founder and honorary chairman of Georgia’s ruling party, Georgian Dream, for undermining the democratic and Euro-Atlantic future of Georgia for the benefit of the Russian Federation. Ivanishvili and Georgian Dream’s actions have eroded democratic institutions, enabled human rights abuses, and curbed the exercise of fundamental freedoms in Georgia. Furthermore, they have derailed Georgia’s Euro-Atlantic future, a future the Georgian people overwhelmingly desire and the Georgian constitution mandates. The result has left Georgia vulnerable to Russia, which continues to occupy more than 20 percent of Georgia’s territory.

We strongly condemn Georgian Dream’s actions under Ivanishvili’s leadership, including its ongoing and violent repression of Georgian citizens, protestors, members of the media, human rights activists, and opposition figures. The United States is committed to promoting accountability for those undermining democracy and human rights in Georgia,” the statement reads.