“Georgia is not a schoolchild to be instructed or corrected at will; it is a dignified and sovereign state, and we have consistently made this position clear in all relevant forums,” stated Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze.

Kobakhidze emphasized that Georgia has consistently defended its dignity even in situations where extremely difficult demands were placed on the country.

“One thing I can say is that, for this opposition, statements made by the U.S. Secretary of State regarding Georgia are of no real significance. The opposition itself is discredited and significantly weakened, which reflects the current political reality.

As for our position toward the U.S. Secretary of State and the American administration, our approach remains focused on the renewal of the strategic partnership. For this reason, we view all messages coming from the United States, including those expressed directly during recent engagements in Georgia, with optimism.

These signals reinforce our expectation that the strategic partnership between Georgia and the United States can be restored and further developed. However, the outcome will depend on the continuation of constructive negotiations.

It is essential that approaches on both sides are clearly defined and grounded in the principle of fairness,” he said.

The PM argued that any deterioration in Georgian–American relations over recent years was entirely the responsibility of the previous US administration.

“We are ready to discuss all details related to the restoration of the strategic partnership. Georgia is not a schoolchild to be instructed or corrected at will; it is a dignified and sovereign state, and we have consistently made this position clear in all relevant forums.

Georgia has defended its dignity even in the most difficult circumstances, when demands placed upon us were particularly heavy. By upholding this principle of dignity, we were able to avoid serious risks for our country.

In the past, under the previous administration, we faced considerable pressure, coercion, and attempts at political blackmail, which, in our view, had negative consequences for the Georgian state and its people.

What has been damaged by injustice can only be corrected through a fair and balanced approach,” he added.