The United States imposed sanctions on Georgian billionaire Bidzina Ivanishvili, a former prime minister considered the country's de facto leader, for allegedly undermining democracy and benefiting Russia. Ivanishvili has been accused of steering Georgia away from the West and promoting pro-Moscow policies. Critics argue that his Georgian Dream party has made Georgia more authoritarian. The sanctions freeze any U.S. assets belonging to Ivanishvili and come amid years of strained relations between the West and Georgia.
: The United States on Friday sanctioned Georgian billionaire Bidzina Ivanishvili, a former prime minister widely seen as the country's de facto leader, saying he was undermining democracy and allowing Russia to benefit.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Washington was sanctioning the reclusive Ivanishvili for “undermining the democratic and Euro-Atlantic future of Georgia for the benefit of the Russian Federation.” Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze called the move “blackmail” and said it was Ivanishvili's “reward” for protecting Georgia from war.
“The people’s struggle has its results,“ Vashadze said. “The whole world sees the protest of the Georgian people, and this is a serious success of this protest.” The U.S. on Dec. 18 sanctioned several Georgian interior ministry officials whom it accused of complicity in the crackdown on protesters. The recent upheavals follow a disputed election in October, in which official results gave Georgian Dream almost 54% of the vote. Opposition parties say it was tainted with fraud and illegitimate.
GEORGIA RUSSIA USA DEMOCRACY SANCTIONS
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