The United States is suspending more than $95 million in aid to the Georgian government after a review of bilateral cooperation, U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said on Wednesday. He also called the actions of the Georgian government "anti-democratic". UNN reports this with reference to Reuters.
"The anti-democratic actions and false statements of the Georgian government are incompatible with EU and NATO membership standards," Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said in a statement.
However, he added that Washington will continue to provide assistance that benefits the people of the country.
The United States has repeatedly criticized the government's draft law on "foreign agents" adopted in Georgia.
Speaking about Georgia, EU Ambassador to Georgia Pawel Gerczynski also said that EU leaders have decided to freeze the accession process.
Recall
The law on "foreign agents" is actually analogous to the law adopted in Russia. According to the document, media outlets and public organizations that receive funding from abroad will be granted the status of "agents of foreign influence." Foreign agents are to be registered by the prosecutor's office, not the State Register Service. Violation of the law will be punishable by imprisonment for up to five years for individuals, and a fine for legal entities.