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US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin warns Russia against distracting European heads of state and government with new talks if it does not have to fulfill its previous obligations.
“Russia, which currently occupies 20% of Georgia’s territory, should focus on meeting its 2008 ceasefire commitments before promoting new discussion platforms,” Austin said on Monday during a visit to Tbilisi, Georgia, to the country’s prime minister and defense to meet ministers.
“I’m here to reassure Georgia,” added Austin. “We have many common interests and, of course, common values, and we see a number of opportunities for security cooperation.”
The visit to Georgia is the first stage in a European turnaround that will also take the US Secretary of Defense to Ukraine and Romania.
Austin will also be traveling to Belgium to attend a meeting of NATO defense ministers.
Russia recently launched the idea of a so-called 3 + 3 format for talks to solve remaining problems with Georgia. The format would include Armenia and Azerbaijan as well as Iran and Turkey.
According to the Russian Foreign Ministry, the idea is already supported by Iran, Azerbaijan and Turkey.
Georgia has steadily expanded its relations with the US and other Western countries and, like Ukraine, has tried to join NATO.
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