Trump will be a ‘strong ally’ to Georgia, says Zourabichvili to Fox News

Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili expressed optimism about the United States’ continued support for Georgia under Donald Trump’s administration during an interview with Fox News. Reflecting on her recent meetings with Trump and other key US officials ahead of the inauguration ceremony, Zourabichvili highlighted Georgia’s strategic importance to the region and emphasized the need for immediate international support to safeguard its Euro-Atlantic aspirations.

Zourabichvili first met Trump briefly on December 7 in Paris during a meeting facilitated by French President Emmanuel Macron. She reiterated Georgia’s urgent need for backing, stating, “I told him exactly this—that Georgia needs support now, before it turns into an open crisis. For 53 days, people have been protesting against a government that lacks the mandate to shift Georgia away from its Euro-Atlantic path. We need America’s support to prevent further destabilization.”

According to Zourabichvili, Trump expressed familiarity and respect for Georgia, having previously visited the country. “President-elect Trump told me he has visited Georgia and appreciates its friendship with the United States. I am confident he will be a strong ally to Georgia in its time of need,” she shared.

The Georgian president also met with Marco Rubio, the incoming Secretary of State, during her visit to Washington on January 18, as well as other prominent figures, including incoming Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Donald Trump Jr., at a pre-inaugural event. While the meetings were informal, Zourabichvili used the opportunity to stress Georgia’s role as a potential success story for US foreign policy rather than another regional challenge.

“These were not formal meetings but rather opportunities at pre-inaugural events to make Georgia a consideration for the incoming administration. Tomorrow, Georgia could either become a shining example of success for the U.S. or a significant problem in the Caucasus, where Russia continues to assert its influence,” she explained.

Zourabichvili further underscored the risks posed by Russia’s increasing strategic maneuvers in the region. She mentioned Moscow’s attempts to use rigged elections and puppet regimes to gain influence over Georgia and other countries in Eastern Europe. “Russia is trying to build a new strategy with Georgia, as well as Romania, Moldova, and others, by using fraudulent elections and establishing puppet governments. This will be a major question for the new US administration,” Zourabichvili warned.

She also drew attention to Georgia’s longstanding partnership with the US, built over 30 years of mutual cooperation and shared values. “Georgia has been one of the largest recipients of US assistance because it represents a strategic interest—trade routes to Central Asia, democracy, and shared values. Georgia, along with Armenia, is one of the oldest Christian nations, and that defines our path. We are a democracy and a pillar of stability in the region,” she said.

When asked what advice she would give Trump for his first conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Zourabichvili responded firmly: “Hands off Georgia! Hands off the Caucasus! This is a region of strategic interest to the West, and Russia cannot dominate here again. It is a place of ancient civilization, European values, and vibrant societies that want to remain part of a shared vision with Europe and the United States.”

Zourabichvili concluded by emphasizing that Georgia’s future lies firmly within the Euro-Atlantic framework and that U.S. support is crucial to preventing Russian expansionism in the region, especially in the strategic Black Sea corridor.