The USA imposed sanctions on Bidzina Ivanishvili

The United States on Friday imposed sanctions on Bidzina Ivanishvili, former prime minister of Georgia and founder and honorary chairman of the ruling Georgian Dream party, on the grounds that he is undermining Georgia’s democratic future for the benefit of Russia.

Ivanishvili does not currently have an elected position, but according to popular opinion, he is the real shadow leader of Georgia.

“We strongly condemn the actions of Georgian Dream under Ivanishvili’s leadership, including his continued and violent crackdown on Georgian citizens, protesters, media, human rights activists and opposition figures,” US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said.

Blinken added in a statement that Ivanishvili and Georgian Dream “undermined democratic institutions, violated human rights and restricted fundamental freedoms in Georgia.”

The US Secretary of State also stated that Georgia’s ruling party has “undermined Georgia’s Euro-Atlantic future”, making the country vulnerable to Russia.

On November 28, Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze’s announcement that Tbilisi is freezing EU membership negotiations until 2028 heated up the street fight that started in Georgia after the controversial parliamentary elections, the protests have been going on for the second month.