TBILISI, May 7 – Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze met U.S. State Department official Sonata Coulter in Tbilisi on Thursday, as both sides looked for a way to repair relations after years of tension.
Coulter is a deputy assistant secretary at the U.S. State Department. Her visit is being watched closely in Georgia, where the ruling party has openly called for a “reset” with Washington under the Trump administration.
According to Georgia’s government administration, Kobakhidze again confirmed the government’s readiness to restart bilateral relations and renew the strategic partnership “from a clean sheet,” with a concrete roadmap focused on practical results.
The government said special attention was given to connectivity and Georgia’s role in the Middle Corridor, the transport route linking Asia and Europe through the South Caucasus.
Foreign Minister Maka Botchorishvili said after the meeting that another U.S. delegation is expected by the end of May to discuss next steps in more detail.
“The visit of the U.S. State Department delegation serves the purpose of how to develop cooperation between Georgia and the U.S.,” Botchorishvili said. She added that both sides understand the importance of relations based on respect and pragmatic cooperation.
Tbilisi Mayor and Georgian Dream Secretary General Kakha Kaladze said Georgia hopes to start relations with the U.S. “from a new page.” He sharply criticized the Biden administration, saying its statements, threats and attitude toward Georgia had been unacceptable and based on “lies” and “slander.”
Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili also said the ruling team does not mean simply restoring the old partnership. He said Georgia wants a “qualitatively new” partnership based on the national interests of both countries.
The visit has sparked debate over whether a real reset is beginning.
Analyst Edisher Gvenetadze told Rezonansi the visit could be seen as the start of a reset, though he said Georgian Dream would also use it for political messaging.
But analyst Paata Zakareishvili said the real test would be whether Kobakhidze meets U.S. President Donald Trump in the Oval Office.
“What is the point of going to the airport if the plane does not take off?!” Zakareishvili said.
Opposition politician Nika Gvaramia argued that recent moves by the authorities, including the announced detention of officers accused of violence during 2024 protests, were part of Bidzina Ivanishvili’s attempt to reset ties with the West and protect himself politically.
