The Vice Prime Minister /Minister of Foreign Affairs spoke over the phone with the U.S. Deputy Secretary of State, Wendy Sherman. During the conversation, the sides discussed the security environment in the region, recent developments around Ukraine and the Russian Federation’s efforts to obstruct the Euro-Atlantic integration of Georgia and Ukraine.

David Zalkaliani thanked Wendy Sherman for coordination and sharing of information ahead of the bilateral U.S.-Russia dialogue, and of the meetings within the NATO-Russia Council and the OSCE scheduled for the next week. Conversation between the Foreign Minister and the Deputy Secretary of State took place within the framework of the US’ ongoing consultations with NATO allies and partners.

Speaking with the Deputy Secretary of State, the Georgian Foreign Minister said that Russia’s attempts to impede Georgia’s and Ukraine’s integration into NATO contradict the norms and principles of international law and that the rhetoric aimed at restricting the sovereign state"s right to pursue an independent foreign and security policy is completely unacceptable. It was also highlighted that the occupation of the territories of the neighboring states and Russia’s failure to fulfil its international obligations, including the obligations under the ceasefire agreement of 12 August 2008, remain one of the main challenges facing the European security.

The Foreign Minister thanked the US for its unwavering support of Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as of the country’s European and Euro-Atlantic integration course. During the conversation, the sides agreed to continue consultations in the future.