Secretary of State Antony Blinken is set to travel to eastern Europe next week amidst rising concerns about Russia’s activities in Ukraine, Moldova, and Georgia. His trip will include stops in Chişinau, Moldova, before attending a NATO foreign ministers meeting in Prague. The visit comes shortly after Blinken’s unannounced trip to Ukraine to reaffirm U.S. support in the face of increased Russian attacks. Russia’s potential interference in Moldova and anti-Western movements in Georgia will also be discussed during the trip.
In Chişinau, Blinken will meet with Moldovan President Maia Sandu to express U.S. support for Moldova’s efforts to join the European Union. The U.S. will announce a support package for Moldova, where there are 1,500 Russian troops stationed in the disputed territory of Transnistria. Concerns about ongoing Russian influence operations, disinformation campaigns, and meddling in local elections have been raised by Moldova, which views Russia as a threat to its EU aspirations.
NATO ministers will also address the situation in Georgia, where controversial legislation targeting media and NGOs has sparked protests. The legislation would require entities receiving more than 20% of their funding from abroad to register as ‘pursuing the interests of a foreign power’. Critics believe this law is influenced by Moscow and will hinder Georgia’s EU aspirations. Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili has vetoed the law, but the ruling party is expected to override the veto, leading to U.S. travel bans on Georgian officials complicit in undermining democracy.
The U.S. will impose travel bans on Georgian officials who are responsible for suppressing civil society and freedom of assembly through violence or intimidation. Despite not naming specific individuals, Blinken’s announcement also mentioned a comprehensive review of U.S.-Georgia cooperation. The U.S. hopes that Georgia’s leaders will reconsider the legislation and prioritize the nation’s democratic and Euro-Atlantic aspirations. The relationship between the two countries will be reassessed based on Georgia’s actions in the coming days.
Blinken will meet Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský in Prague to discuss support for Ukraine, including a Czech initiative to supply munitions to Kyiv. NATO ministers will focus on Ukraine’s situation and developments in Georgia during the meeting. Ukraine and Georgia aspire to join NATO and the EU, but face challenges from Russia-backed movements that seek to hinder their Western integration. The NATO gathering will be an important platform to address these issues and demonstrate solidarity with the countries facing external pressures.
The U.S. remains committed to supporting Eastern European countries like Moldova and Georgia in their efforts to integrate with Europe and strengthen their democratic institutions. Blinken’s trip underscores the importance of addressing Russian interference and promoting stability and security in the region. As the U.S. reassesses its cooperation with Georgia, it sends a message that undermining democracy and freedom will have consequences. The upcoming NATO meeting will provide an opportunity for allies to coordinate their responses to the challenges posed by Russia and affirm their commitment to the Euro-Atlantic community’s core values.
