Parliament Speaker: USAID shutdown forces euro-funding, diminishes Georgian protests

Georgian Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili on Monday said the new US administration was effectively succeeding in defeating the deep state, which he noted would lead to non-interference in the internal politics of other countries and the consideration of partners’ interests.

In a social media message, Papuashvili also highlighted the aggressive reaction from some foreign entities following Donald Trump's victory in the US presidential election, claiming it fueled unrest in Georgia.

“The defeated administration had given a green light to the excessive protests in Tbilisi and to yet another attempt at a colour revolution until the inauguration of the new President. Georgian law enforcement had to exert tremendous effort to maintain order, ensure safety, and protect the

Parliament building on Rustaveli Avenue from being stormed. Many demonstrators and police officers were injured in these clashes”, the Speaker said.

Papuashvili further criticised foreign diplomats who, despite being vocal before the elections, passively observed the events and, in some cases, encouraged demonstrators to confront the police.

“For the first time in our history, a Molotov cocktail was thrown at a person, intended to burn him [a police officer] alive. The perpetrator was later celebrated as a hero, leading to the literal outbreak of fire on Rustaveli Avenue”, he stressed.

Papuashvili highlighted President Trump’s unexpected public declaration to end harmful practices used by the previous administration, including through USAID and NED.

“The Trump administration’s different approach to international trade, the war in Ukraine, and American interests was a cold shower for globalist forces and the war party”, he added.

Papuashvili also noted that the suspension of USAID funding, including from Georgia, forced other foundations to fill the funding gap with euros, a factor contributing to the current weakened protests.

The Speaker further noted that the suspension of USAID funding, including from Georgia, forced other foundations to partially cover the shortfall with euros, noting that weakened protests were a reflection of this.

“President Trump made a great effort to stop the war in Ukraine and establish peace, although it still faces resistance. He closed USAID, considering it damaging to long-term American interests, and initiated a process to ensure transparency of foreign funding in American higher education institutions. The suspension of USAID, both internationally and in Georgia, forced other foundations to at least partially fill the gap left by the vanished dollars with euros. This weakened protest movement we observe today is still being encouraged by a bankrupt agenda”, he noted.

“Observing these developments is important to clearly see how future American interests and mechanisms will be shaped. The new administration is truly succeeding in defeating the deep state, leading to either real non-interference in other countries’ internal affairs and consideration of partners’ interests, or simply the replacement of old, discredited instruments with new forms serving the same influence goals”, Papuashvili concluded.