Nika Gvaramia, one of the leaders of the Coalition for Change, told journalists after a meeting with Peter Andreoli, a representative of the U.S. State Department’s Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs, that they emphasized the necessity of a change in government and criticized the policies of Georgian Dream.

"We told them the main thing—we do not trade in hostages, we will not step back; there will be large protests and there will be changes," Gvaramia said.

He explained that the U.S. official’s visit mainly focused on economic sites—the port of Poti and the unbuilt Anaklia port—and that meetings were limited to the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Economy. This, he said, clarified the purpose of the visit.

"Our positions were already known to them, but we reiterated once again that Ivanishvili is not the kind of person who can accept that the interests of any Western democracy might operate in the Black Sea. He has openly said that Americans have no business in the Black Sea, so no Anaklia port, no route from the Caspian to the Black Sea in Georgia will exist as long as Ivanishvili is in power.

The fact that the Americans have the will, interest, and vision to pursue this is obviously significant for everyone, including Russia—but negatively for Russia, because this represents an alternative route, and that alternative goes unconditionally through Georgia. Ivanishvili will not allow it. Our explanation was clear: as long as Ivanishvili is here, it will not happen; therefore, there must be a change. As an alliance, we will push this change to the maximum reality. For this, we will work to the fullest with protests, by presenting alternatives, and I will not be ashamed to say many times that we represent the alternative. We discussed this with the Americans and also emphasized how important it is that their very firm stance toward this government is maintained. I think this visit was very beneficial for us, and I am confident that our meeting was significant for them as well."

Gvaramia also noted that during the meeting he raised the issue of political prisoners, specifically highlighting the imprisonment of coalition leader Elene Khoshtaria:

"We talked about political hostages, explicitly naming them. We also noted that the sentencing of Elene Khoshtaria and the arrest of activists during the guest’s visit was deliberate information for them—so they would understand how Bidzina Ivanishvili operates."

He also spoke about Georgian Dream’s current relationship with Iran, mentioning that the Anza Tower was lit in the colors of the Iranian flag.

"We told them everything they already knew, but in details they might not have been aware of. We told them the main thing: we do not trade in hostages, we will not step back; there will be large protests and there will be changes. For this, we need their support even more."

For context, the U.S. State Department’s representative, Peter Andreoli, is on a visit to Georgia where he met opposition representatives. According to the U.S. Embassy, he will also meet with government officials, the private sector, and civil society, and will visit the administrative boundary line.

Additionally, according to the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development, Deputy Minister Tamar Ioseliani briefed Andryols on the progress of the Anaklia deep-sea port project.