US Ambassador to Georgia Kelly Degnan echoed Russia’s recent threats to European security. In her video address, she said that the US was not going to negotiate about Georgia without Georgia.

“The US respects the sovereignty of each country, including Georgia and Ukraine. Russia does not have a veto over sovereign decisions. We will not negotiate about Georgia without Georgia.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that the United States would not discuss European security without European allies and partners.

We are unwavering in our support for Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. We will continue to join the overwhelming majority of the international community in calling for Russia to end its occupation of Georgia. We are also firm in our commitment of, as stated in the Bucharest declaration, when the conditions are met, Georgia and other partners will become members of NATO.

The Kremlin insists that Russia should be allowed to establish an exclusive sphere of influence throughout Eastern Europe and the Caucasus. President Putin’s goal is to stop these countries, including Georgia, from acting as fully sovereign, independent nations that have the right to choose their own security partners.

This week’s meetings were extremely relevant for Georgia and the US closely coordinated with the Georgian government. Russia’s demands are unacceptable because Russia attempts to recreate the Soviet domination and control over its neighbours.

Georgians know Russians very well. You know how the Kremlin twists the truth and distorts history trying to confuse and divide people. Russia is the country that destroyed the Republic of Georgia in 1921, desecrated Georgian Orthodox churches and tried to smother the Georgian language. Georgians fought for your country and your freedom against Russia. So you could choose your own future as a strong democracy, a choice the US is very proud to support.

You continue to experience Russian aggression every day in the form of Russia’s occupation of Abkhazia and South Ossetia and you are subject to constant disinformation attacks. Russia has been trying to divide the United States and our European allies and partners, including Georgia, for years, and this is just the latest attempt. We will not allow this to happen.

The US and Europe have worked too hard and sacrificed too much for the 80 years of peace and prosperity we"ve enjoyed because of NATO and transatlantic cooperation. Georgia has been a strong partner in this effort, and we will continue to consult with Georgia every step of the way.

Let’s be clear: the Kremlin has nothing to offer neighbors but fear, oppression and disinformation. That is not what Georgia or the US stand for. The United States continues to believe in a Europe whole, free and at peace. And we will continue to work to make this a reality, together with our European partners and allies. We are willing to meet with Russia to attempt to prevent conflict and de-escalate, but we cannot, and will not, trade away European security, sovereignty or freedom. The Georgian motto is our motto: United We Stand”, - said Kelly Degnan.