WASHINGTON: The United States has postponed a large-scale military exercise with Georgia for an indefinite period amid strained ties with Tbilisi, said the Pentagon on Friday.
The United States “will indefinitely postpone this iteration of exercise NOBLE PARTNER in Georgia” scheduled for July 25 — August 6, the Pentagon said in a statement.
It added the decision was made because of the Georgian government’s false allegations that the United States was pressuring Tbilisi to open a second front against Russia to increase pressure on Ukraine.
According to the statement the United States Government believes that this is an inappropriate time to hold a large-scale military drill in Georgia.
The statement comes at a time when ties between Tbilisi and Washington have gone cold amid Russia’s war against Ukraine.
The United States in May placed visa restrictions on individuals who are responsible for or complicit in undermining democracy in Georgia, as well as their family members. It also said it conducted a comprehensive review of bilateral relations.
Georgia’s ruling party has faced widespread criticism of derailing the country from its European Union membership path and leading it back towards the Russian bloc.
