US-Georgia Relations Hit New Low Amid 'Insulting' Letter to Trump

Tbilisi, Georgia – Relations between the United States and Georgia, once a close strategic alliance, have plummeted to a new low, marked by a "threatening, insulting, and unserious" private letter sent by Georgia's ruling Georgian Dream party leadership to the Trump administration. The revelation comes from outgoing US Ambassador to Tbilisi, Robin Dunnigan, who described Washington's astonishment at the letter's content.

In an interview with RFE/RL’s Georgian Service, Ambassador Dunnigan laid bare the rapidly deteriorating ties, asserting that Georgia's perceived tilt toward Russia and its crackdown on dissent have significantly angered Washington.

A Failed Attempt to Reset Ties

Dunnigan, appointed during the Biden era and set to leave her post this month, recounted her efforts to mend the strained relationship. Shortly after Donald Trump's inauguration in January, she traveled to Washington to meet senior officials and receive instructions on the new administration's policy toward Georgia.

Upon her return, Dunnigan met with Georgian Foreign Minister Maka Botchorishvili in March, outlining "two or three simple steps" to reset relations. A primary condition was to halt "anti-American rhetoric" and the spread of "untrue statements about the United States." Dunnigan specifically cited conspiracy theories propagated by Georgian Dream, such as claims that the US sought to open a "second front" against Russia in Georgia, that her predecessor attempted to instigate a revolution, or that the strategic partnership was merely "on paper."

Just three days after this meeting, the "insulting and unserious" private letter from Georgian Dream leadership was sent to the Trump administration. Dunnigan stated that Washington received the letter "extremely poorly" and was so surprised that it took time to formulate a response.

Ivanishvili's Refusal and Kobakhidze's Complaints

The situation was further complicated when US Secretary of State Marco Rubio prepared a response, instructing Dunnigan to deliver it directly to Bidzina Ivanishvili, the Russia-friendly billionaire widely considered Georgia's most powerful political figure and "honorary" leader of the Georgian Dream party. However, Ivanishvili refused to meet the ambassador, citing his ongoing US sanctions as "personal blackmail."

Dunnigan sharply criticized Ivanishvili's stance, stating, "If the de facto leader of this country is unwilling to meet with leadership of the United States or receive a message from the Trump administration he is, in fact, putting his personal interests against the interests of the Georgian people." She declined an offer to meet Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze instead, as her instructions were specifically to deliver the message to Ivanishvili.

In May, Prime Minister Kobakhidze publicly sent an open letter to the Trump administration, complaining about the lack of a response to the private letter and lamenting the absence of "high-level communication" between the two countries. His letter also criticized existing Biden-era sanctions and the proposed MEGOBARI Act in the US Congress, which seeks increased scrutiny of the Georgian government's actions and its ties to Russia and other authoritarian regimes like China. Despite these complaints, Kobakhidze reiterated Georgia’s stated desire to improve ties with the United States.

Georgia's Reputation Suffers

Reflecting on the changes since her arrival in October 2023, Dunnigan described the current situation as "very difficult." She highlighted concerns over "the imprisonment of political opposition figures, the targeting of civil society," and issues with the rule of law and media freedom. These concerns align with the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE)'s findings regarding last year's Georgian parliamentary elections, which were marred by instances of vote-buying, double-voting, physical violence, and intimidation, leading to mass street protests and subsequent US sanctions in December 2024.

"The relationship between our governments is in a very difficult situation, and I think Georgia’s reputation has really suffered," Dunnigan concluded.

Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili, however, dismissed Dunnigan's interview, stating, "Radio Free Europe, exposed by President Trump as a propaganda tool, is broadcasting an interview with a resigning ambassador. Neither the ambassador nor that media outlet is of interest to us."

Looking ahead, Dunnigan indicated that Washington could harden its stance. The MEGOBARI Act, already approved by the House of Representatives, is now in the Senate, and Dunnigan has heard from several senators who believe "it will eventually pass," further underscoring the damage to Georgia's international standing.