US says decision to postpone military exercise in Georgia was not taken lightly
The United States has decided to indefinitely postpone a major military exercise originally scheduled to take place in Georgia, saying: "We have not made this decision lightly."
The Department of Defence said it took the decision after reviewing its relationship with Georgia.
The Eastern European/Western Asian country claimed the US and other Western entities had been attempting to pressure it to open a second front to alleviate pressure on Ukraine. It also claimed the US had participated in two coup attempts against its ruling party.
In previous years, Exercise Noble Partner involved more than 3,000 troops from various countries, including the UK, testing their collaborative capabilities in the former Soviet republic bordering Russia.
The Department of Defence said: "The United States government has determined that this is an inappropriate time to hold a large-scale military exercise in Georgia."
It added that the US would "continue to partner with the Georgian defence forces as we look to continue strengthening Georgia's ability to safeguard its sovereignty and maintain its territorial integrity".
"We have not made this decision lightly, and we place great consideration on the extensive value that our allies and partners add to exercises such as Noble Partner," it added.
In May 2024, Georgia signed a "foreign agents" bill, requiring civil society organisations and media receiving more than 20% of their funding from abroad to register as serving foreign interests.
This led to protests erupting in Tbilisi, criticising the bill as a copy of legislation introduced in Russia in 2012 by President Putin to stifle dissent.
The demonstrations were met with violence, as snatch squads grabbed protesters and riot police filled the streets.
The legislation and the government's response to the demonstrations are seen as undemocratic and potentially undoing the progress made since the collapse of the USSR.
Since Georgia's brief war with Russia in 2008, the country has long sought Nato membership and closer integration with the European Union.
The controversial legislation and the United States' reconsideration of its bilateral relationship with Georgia marks a low point in Tbilisi's relationship with Washington.
The move to "indefinitely postpone" Exercise Noble Partner has faced criticism in Georgia, according to local media outlet Front News.
Mamuka Mdinaradze, executive secretary of the ruling Georgian Dream Party, called the decision "incorrect".
He also criticised the US for treating Georgia unfairly, noting that Georgia receives the same number of visas as Afghanistan.
Exercise Noble Partner had been scheduled to take place from 25 July to 6 August.
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