Ruling party Sec-Gen calls for reset in US-Georgia relations, rejects ‘master-servant’ approach

Kakha Kaladze, the Secretary General of the ruling Georgian Dream party and Mayor of Tbilisi, on Wednesday called for a reset in relations between Georgia and the United States, saying the partnership “must be built on mutual respect” rather than what he described as a “master-servant” dynamic.

Speaking to journalists, Kaladze said the current approach by the US towards Georgia was “categorically unacceptable” and emphasized that future cooperation should reflect equality and strategic partnership.

“We have said it many times and I want to confirm it once again - resetting relations is fundamentally important,” Kaladze said. “The US should be our strategic partner, our friend, not our master.”

The comments came in response to a US Embassy statement referencing Bidzina Ivanishvili, the founder of the ruling Georgian Dream party, and his reported refusal to meet with the US Ambassador earlier this month. 

The mayor also criticized the recent US sanctions imposed on Ivanishvili and other Georgian officials, suggesting they were “politically motivated.”

“When several officials of our country are sanctioned – Bidzina Ivanishvili among them – for what reason? For defending the interests of our country and preventing the same scenario that happened in Ukraine?” Kaladze said.

He insisted the government’s actions were aimed at safeguarding national sovereignty and protecting the Georgian people. At the same time, he welcomed a “recent message from US President Donald Trump congratulating President Mikheil Kavelashvili and the Georgian people on Independence Day.”

“It is important that relations start from a new page,” Kaladze added.