Jonathan Askonas, State Department Representative, Visits Georgia
Jonathan Askonas, Senior Advisor at the U.S. State Department, is visiting Georgia, the U.S. Embassy in Tbilisi reported on November 18.
“He is here for discussions about how Georgia can support the Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity (TRIPP), a transportation route resulting from the August 8 peace summit between Armenia and Azerbaijan that was mediated by the United States,” the Embassy said.
“This morning, Dr. Askonas visited the Sadakhlo border crossing, which was constructed and largely equipped through U.S. support,” it added.
“He will also meet with representatives of Georgia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Government Administration, as well as representatives of international financial institutions.”
The visit comes amid strained relations between Washington and Tbilisi. Georgian Dream says it is in a mode of “strategic patience” with the Trump administration, which has remained largely silent toward Georgia’s ruling party. Georgian Dream insists it wants to restore the strategic partnership with the United States and claims Trump is in a battle with the “deep state,” with prospects for repairing ties hinging on the outcome of that fight.
Head of GD Government Administration Meets Department of State Delegation
On November 18, Levan Zhorzholiani, Head of the Georgian Dream government administration, met with a U.S. Department of State delegation led by Senior Advisor Jonathan Askonas. The meeting was also attended by Deputy GD Foreign Minister Aleksandre Khvtisiashvili and U.S. Chargé d’Affaires in Georgia Alan S. Purcell.
During the meeting, Zhorzholiani “noted that the GD government is not satisfied with the current level of relations with the United States and reiterated its readiness to renew the strategic partnership from a clean slate, on the basis of a clear roadmap,” the government administration said in a press release.
According to the press release, Zhorzholiani provided the U.S. side with information about “major investments” in railway, road, and port infrastructure. The sides discussed Georgia’s position regarding the so-called Trump Route. “It was noted that the Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity (TRIPP) could have a positive effect on the region, particularly in terms of the security guarantees provided by the US side for cargo movement.”
“The meeting also highlighted the importance of the Trump administration’s efforts toward establishing peace in the region,” the press release added, noting that “Georgia’s role in facilitating the normalization of relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan was deemed positive.”
More to follow…
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- 04/10/2025 – Georgian Ambassador Summoned to the U.S. State Department, PM Says “a Lie”
- 19/09/2025 – U.S. House Committee Approves GD Non-Recognition Amendment for Inclusion in State Dep. Bill
- 09/08/2025 – Georgia Reacts to U.S.-Brokered Armenia-Azerbaijan Peace Deal
- 15/05/2025 – Kobakhidze Describes Current US-Georgia Relations as “Active-Negative”
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