“The expectation is that relations will begin from a new page, and the Georgian government is ready for this,” Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze said, responding to a journalist’s question about the positive expectations he recently mentioned regarding relations with the United States.

According to Kaladze, statements and actions under the previous U.S. administration — including what he described as threatening rhetoric and unfounded targeting — were unacceptable to the Georgian side.

“We hope that under the new administration, relations will be reset and develop into a friendly and strategic partnership. This cooperation must be based on the protection of the interests of both countries. Georgia, despite being a small country, should not be used to serve the interests of larger powers at its own expense. Such an approach is unacceptable to us,” Kaladze stated.

He emphasized that Georgia is an independent and sovereign state that has paid a high price for its independence and must continue to safeguard it.

“The Georgian government is ready to start relations from a new page,” he said.

Kaladze added that recent statements and telephone conversations give grounds for cautious optimism.

“There will likely be further developments, and we need to wait. However, these signals already provide a basis for optimism that relations will move in a positive direction,” the Tbilisi mayor noted.