Pence Says U.S. Backs Georgia in NATO Over Russian Objection
- ‘We are with you,’ U.S. vice president says in Tbilisi visit
- Georgia stages largest drills with U.S. since 2008 Russia war
U.S. Vice President Mike Pence said that the U.S. is committed to live up to its North Atlantic Treaty Organization obligations, including Article 5, the article concerning mutual defense. He also said better relations with Russia 'may be possible' but that Russia would have to change its behavior for that to be achieved. He spoke at a news conference in Georgia. (Excerpts. Source: APTN) (Source: Bloomberg)
Vice President Mike Pence said the U.S. “strongly” supports Georgia’s ambition of joining NATO, even as Russia remains hostile to the military alliance expanding its influence in Moscow’s former Soviet backyard.
“We see Georgia as a key strategic partner and stand by your territorial integrity and your aspirations to become a member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization,” Pence said at talks with Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili in the Georgian capital, Tbilisi, on Tuesday. U.S. President Donald Trump “asked me to extend greetings to you this morning and to say we are with you,” Pence said.