The United States has suspended its strategic partnership with Georgia after the government blocked talks on joining the European Union.
The move follows the pro-Russian “Georgian Dream” party’s decision to halt EU accession talks. U.S. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller slammed the move as a “betrayal of Georgia’s constitution” on social media.
The U.S. statement stressed the suspension goes against Georgia’s constitutional commitment to integrate with the EU and NATO, adding, “The Georgian people overwhelmingly support Europe.”
The U.S. also condemned the police’s heavy-handed response to protests, calling it an abuse of force against Georgians exercising their rights to peaceful protest.
Protests have erupted across Georgia, with demonstrators calling for the government to reconsider its stance. President Salome Zourabichvili, a pro-EU leader, said she would resign once a legitimate government is formed.
Opposition parties have rejected the October 26 election results, which saw Georgian Dream declared the winner. In the first parliamentary session since the elections, opposition lawmakers refused to take their seats.
Mass protests continue, with Georgians demanding the government push forward with EU talks.
