We will continue to partner with Georgia and defense forces. Such a statement the Pentagon Press Secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder Holds made at a press briefing, while answering the question of the journalist of “Voice of America”.

“Q: OK. A couple questions on Georgia. Following Noble Partner being canceled, are there any other cancellations? Has every mil-to-mil operation been put on hold for the time being? There’s supposed to be some sort of celebration at the end of August. Has that been put on hold? Can you give us any other updates?

GEN RYDER: Yeah. I’m not tracking any other cancellations at this time.

Q: OK. And then I guess, does DOD see Georgia still as a US friendly ally or does it see it moving towards Russia at this point?

GEN RYDER: Yeah. I mean we’ll continue to partner with Georgia and defense forces, and we’ll continue to look for ways to strengthen Georgia’s ability to safeguard its sovereignty and maintain its territorial integrity. The decision to cancel the exercise was not taken lightly. We place great consideration on the extensive value that allies and partners add to exercises such as Noble Partner.

And so we’re going to continue to look forward to future opportunities to cooperate with allies and partners. So I’ll leave it there”, - said Pat Ryder.