US imposes sanctions on Georgian billionaire ex-prime minister Bidzina Ivanishvili
US said Ivanishvili had implemented ‘actions or policies that undermine democratic processes or institutions in the US or abroad’ for Russia
The United States on Friday sanctioned Georgian billionaire Bidzina Ivanishvili, a former prime minister widely seen as the country’s de facto leader, saying he was undermining democracy and allowing Russia to benefit.
Critics say that under his Georgian Dream party, the country has become more authoritarian and pro-Moscow.
Blinken said Ivanishvili had implemented “actions or policies that undermine democratic processes or institutions in the United States or abroad” for Russia.
The sanctions, which freeze any US assets belonging to Ivanishvili, follow years of souring relations between the West and Georgia, a former Soviet republic now a candidate for European Union membership.