Georgian Dream MPs Nikoloz Samkharadze, Mariam Lashkhi, and Lika Shartava, together with People’s Power MP Eka Sepashvili, are visiting the United States to attend the inaugural summit of the Alliance of Sovereign Nations on March 4-5, at the invitation of controversial U.S. Republican Congresswoman Anna Paulina Luna. Led by Samkharadze, the delegation is also meeting with U.S. officials.
The visit comes amid continued uncertainty in bilateral relations. The U.S. under President Joe Biden suspended the strategic partnership with Georgia in November 2024, and a month later, sanctioned Georgian Dream founder and honorary chairman Bidzina Ivanishvili.
Washington under President Donald Trump has remained largely silent toward Tbilisi, despite Georgian Dream’s repeated claims about “shared values” and stated efforts to reset relations “from a clean slate.”
Meeting with Senator Steve Daines
The delegation, joined by Georgian Ambassador Tamar Taliashvili, met on March 3 with Senator Steve Daines, a member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations. Daines visited Georgia in May 2025 and met with representatives of both the Georgian Dream government and the opposition.
“The primary focus of the meeting was the improvement of Georgian-American relations and the restoration of the strategic partnership between the two countries,” the Georgian Parliament press release said. According to it, MP Nikoloz Samkharadze, who heads the delegation, noted that the Georgian side is “committed” to restoring the strategic partnership and to beginning a “new chapter in developing even deeper and mutually beneficial relations.” According to the press release, the parties paid particular attention to strengthening the “economic component” of bilateral relations.
The meeting also covered the “security environment” in the South Caucasus, with the MPs underscoring the “threats arising from the occupation.” The sides also discussed the importance of the Middle Corridor and “Georgia’s strategic role within it.” According to the press release, they additionally discussed ongoing developments in the Middle East and “their potential impact on regional security.”
MP Nikoloz Samkharadze said the meeting was held in “a very engaging” and “friendly” atmosphere.
Meeting with Brendan Hanrahan
On March 3, the Georgian Parliament also reported on MP Nikoloz Samkharadze’s meeting with Brendan Hanrahan, the U.S. State Department’s Senior Bureau Official for European and Eurasian Affairs. In early February, Hanrahan met with Georgian Dream Deputy Foreign Minister Lasha Darsalia.
The release said the sides paid particular attention to the “alignment of values” between the Georgian Dream government and what it still calls the “new” administration in the U.S. It added that they discussed the “areas of cooperation” aimed at delivering “mutual benefits” to both countries. Samkharadze also said the sides identified “several areas that will strengthen our renewed cooperation.”
The press release further said the discussions addressed Georgia’s “security challenges” and the “threats arising from Russia’s occupation.” The sides also discussed the development of the Middle Corridor, including the Trump Route, with Samkharadze welcoming the project’s implementation, saying, “We consider it not an alternative to the Middle Corridor and Georgia’s route, but rather a complementary factor.” According to the press release, they also discussed issues of “economic cooperation and the participation of American companies in major economic projects.”
“Great exchange with Brendan Hanrahan about Georgia-USA relations, threats stemming from occupation of Georgian territories by Russia, security challenges in wider Black Sea region, Middle Corridor/TRIPP and bilateral economic cooperation,” Nikoloz Samkharadze wrote on X.
Great exchange with @stateeur Brendan Hanrahan abour
relations, threats stemming from occupation of
— Nikoloz Samkharadze (@Samkharadze79) March 3, 2026
The meeting came amid concerns over Georgia’s transit role following the announcement of the Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity (TRIPP), a proposed transit connecting mainland Azerbaijan with its Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic through southern Armenia, that could bypass Georgia.
Meeting with “Quincy Institute” Director
On March 4, the Georgian Parliament reported that the delegation met with Anatol Lieven, Director of the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft, as well as with the institute’s researchers.
According to the press release, the discussions covered the foreign policy of President Donald Trump’s administration, including its approach toward the South Caucasus region.
They also reportedly discussed current developments in the Middle East, the Russia-Ukraine war, and U.S. policy approaches in this regard. The sides also discussed current developments in Georgia, as well as the prospects of the Middle Corridor and the U.S. administration’s vision in this context, the press release said.
Meeting with Deputy National Security Advisor Andrew Baker
Delegation head Nikoloz Samkharadze met with U.S. Deputy National Security Adviser Andrew Baker, the Georgian Parliament reported on March 4, publishing a photo of the two together with Tamar Taliashvili, Georgia’s ambassador to the United States, and Charles J. McLaughlin IV, Special Assistant to the U.S. President, who also attended the meeting.
According to an official press release from the Georgian Parliament, “The main topic of the meeting was the revitalization of Georgian-American relations and the restoration of the strategic partnership between the two countries.” Samkharadze described the meeting as “quite engaging,” saying they discussed, among others, Georgia’s “interest and readiness” to restore the strategic partnership with the U.S.
“Insightful and friendly conversation with the Deputy National Security Adviser Andrew Baker about security challenges stemming from occupation, reinvigoration of Georgia-U.S. relations leading to new partnership, mutually beneficial economic prospects and Georgia’s strategic roles in ensuring connectivity,” Samkharadze wrote on X following the meeting.
Insightful&friendly conversation with the Deputy Nat’l Security Adviser Andrew Baker about security challenges stemming from occupation, reinvigoration of
— Nikoloz Samkharadze (@Samkharadze79) March 4, 2026
Meeting with Rep. Andy Ogles
On March 5, the Georgian Parliament reported that the delegation, this time without its head, Nikoloz Samkharadze, met with Republican Rep. Andy Ogles.
According to the press release, the sides discussed Georgia’s strategic partnership with the U.S., the EU, and China. They also spoke about Georgia’s foreign policy and resetting U.S.-Georgia relations. The Middle Corridor was also among the topics discussed, per the press release.
More to follow…
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