“Almost everything that we have done and are doing here in Georgia is designed to support the people of Georgia’s desire to be part of the European Union and to be part of NATO”, US Ambassador to Georgia Kelly Degnan told reporters in Batumi on Monday.

“That is what the people of Georgia want, and that is what the United States firmly supports. We have been advocating on behalf of Georgia’s EU candidacy because we want to see Georgia succeed in its European aspirations. When I hear people say that the United States is working against Georgia or trying to drag Georgia into the war or open a “second front,” that is a hundred per cent Russian disinformation. That is absolutely not true. The United States has done everything we can to stop this war, to stop the fighting. Even before hostilities broke open, the United States was the country that was working hardest to prevent this war from happening. We absolutely do not want to see Georgia dragged into this war. In our view, what the European Union – and NATO stand for is peace, stability, and prosperity. You can see it in every country you’re in: the stability and prosperity and the peace that come with being part of the Euro-Atlantic community. And we want that for Georgia too. We know that’s what the Georgian people want as well,” Degnan said.

According to the ambassador, the US will continue to be fully committed to Georgia’s sovereignty, its territorial integrity, and to its desire to be fully integrated into the Euro-Atlantic family of nations.

Asked about the Georgian Prime Minister’s recent comments, Kelly Degnan answered that she does not know any person in Georgia who wants Georgia to be part of the war.

“I won’t speak on behalf of the Prime Minister, but what I can say is I don’t know anybody in Georgia who wants Georgia to be part of this war. I think everybody in Georgia is – and certainly, the United States is very aware—of what Georgians have gone through and how they are feeling. What’s going on in the outpouring of humanitarian assistance and support for Ukraine is a good indication of where Georgians’ hearts are in this fight. What is really needed is not this fighting amongst Georgians. It’s for Georgians to come together. This is one issue where I would hope Georgia’s leaders could put aside their differences and come together in the interest of this country’s future: in the interest of this country’s stability and prosperity. Unity is what is needed right now, not more fighting: unity. I would love to see Georgians live up to their motto of “dzala ertobashia”(Strength is in Unity) that’s what’s needed right now,” Ambassador Degnan added.

US Ambassador is visiting the Adjara region to mark the 30th anniversary of US-Georgia diplomatic relations.

“We are delighted to be here tonight to celebrate 30 years of diplomatic relations between the United States and Georgia. I’ve had a chance to visit with some of our partners during the two days I’ve been here so far, but tonight’s reception is to thank our wonderful partners here in Adjara for all of the great work that we’ve been doing together over the last 30 years,” Kelly Degnan said.