U.S. sanctions Georgian leader for aligning with Russia
The U.S. imposed sanctions on Bidzina Ivanishvili, the founder of Georgia's ruling party, on Friday. The reason given was "undermining the democratic and Euro-Atlantic future of Georgia" in favour of Russia. Ivanishvili is considered to be the person who effectively holds power in Georgia.
"Ivanishvili and Georgian Dream’s actions have eroded democratic institutions, enabled human rights abuses, and curbed the exercise of fundamental freedoms in Georgia. Furthermore, they have derailed Georgia’s Euro-Atlantic future, a future the Georgian people overwhelmingly desire and the Georgian constitution mandates," wrote U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken in a statement.
He added that as a result of these actions, Georgia has become vulnerable to Russian influence, which occupies 20% of its territory.
Sanctions against Ivanishvili are the latest and perhaps most serious move in a series of Washington's actions in response to the Georgian authorities' actions distancing the country from integration with the West, including suspending talks on joining the EU. Previously, the State Department announced a comprehensive review of relations with Georgia, the suspension of the strategic partnership between the countries, and announced a series of sanctions and entry bans for Georgian officials, including the head of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
Made his fortune in Russia
Ivanishvili is a former businessman and billionaire who made his fortune in Russia. He governed Georgia as prime minister from 2012 to 2013, but after stepping down from this position, he was still perceived as the de facto leader of the country. He is currently the honorary president of Georgian Dream.
Despite the restrictions, the U.S. Treasury Department issued a license authorizing transactions with companies related to Ivanishvili, with a list of specified exceptions to this rule, including the involvement of assets from the Russian central bank.
