US Ambassador to Georgia responded to the statement of Mikheil Kavelashvili, a former member of Georgian Dream, about her possible meeting with Bidzina Ivanishvili.

“When I was asked about this on Tuesday, I had not read the comment, and I don’t like to comment until I understand the facts, unlike some who like to comment based on innuendo and speculation and rumors.

But I can say now that I have not met with Mr. Ivanishvili in quite some time. In every meeting I’ve had with him over the past two and a half years that I have been in Georgia, I have always assured him of the United States’ full support for the people of Georgia and our willingness to work with the government of Georgia for Georgia’s Euro-Atlantic future for Georgia’s democratic and economic development.

In none of those meetings have I ever tried to blackmail Mr. Ivanishvili. I’m a diplomat, so I’m not going to take offense at that, but that is simply not true. And I have to say I wonder a little bit - I’m a little puzzled at why this MP would be making such a claim based on no information, since I don’t know him. And he certainly wasn’t in any of my meetings with Mr. Ivanishvili. So, I’m a little puzzled at his motive for even making this claim”, - said Kelly Degnan.