“A small portion of the funds received in Georgia was directed to finance various projects, but in reality, much of it was used for politics, managing the country’s internal processes, and encouraging aggressive groups,” said Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze, commenting on US Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s statement regarding the cancellation of USAID.

Speaking to the media, Kaladze noted that Rubio’s statement raises questions about how funds received through USAID in Georgia were utilized.

“We shouldn’t even have to ask whether these funds from international organizations were transparent or opaque. Today, it is clear to everyone what they were actually used for. Only a small portion went to finance projects and was presented as such. In reality, they were used for political purposes, managing internal processes, encouraging aggressive groups, inciting polarization, and dividing society. This is why we have emphasized the need for transparency—so that both the state and society can know how funds coming into our country through various organizations are spent. Rubio’s statement confirms that, in this specific case, USAID funds raise significant questions,” Kakha Kaladze said.