On June 16, Georgian Foreign Minister Maka Botchorishvili met with Wyatt Toehlke, Senior Advisor at the U.S. Department of State, for a formal diplomatic engagement in Tbilisi. The meeting was also attended by U.S. Ambassador to Georgia Robin Dunnigan, underscoring its significance amid a shifting geopolitical landscape and Georgia’s evolving foreign policy stance.

According to the Georgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the discussions focused on key areas of U.S.-Georgia cooperation, with particular emphasis on the future trajectory of bilateral relations, ongoing geopolitical shifts, and regional developments. The Ministry noted that both sides reaffirmed the strength of the U.S.-Georgia partnership, describing Georgia as a “key partner” and highlighting its strategic importance in the region.

Foreign Minister Botchorishvili reiterated Georgia’s commitment to revitalizing its relationship with the United States, framing it as a renewed dedication to deepening strategic alignment. The talks also addressed broader security concerns, with both delegations exchanging views on international and regional threats and emphasizing Georgia’s role in promoting peace and stability in the South Caucasus and beyond.

This meeting occurs at a sensitive moment in U.S.-Georgia relations. Following the contentious 2024 parliamentary elections in Georgia and the subsequent wave of mass protests that began in late November, Tbilisi has faced increasing isolation from key Western partners. The United States, in particular, temporarily froze its strategic partnership with Georgia, citing concerns over democratic backsliding and a crackdown on civil society.

Since then, the Georgian Dream government has signaled a desire to mend ties with Washington, particularly in light of Donald Trump’s return to the White House. Georgian officials have publicly portrayed their administration as ideologically aligned with Trump’s Republican leadership, often citing shared values and a mutual emphasis on national sovereignty and conservative social principles. However, expectations of a swift rapprochement have not yet materialized, and the lack of engagement from the Trump administration has become a source of quiet frustration within the Georgian Dream leadership.

Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze has directly appealed to President Trump. In an open letter issued earlier this year, Kobakhidze urged Trump to end what he described as a period of diplomatic silence, portraying the former and current U.S. President as a figure engaged in a historic struggle against entrenched forces within the American government. According to Kobakhidze, the outcome of this internal American conflict—often described by Trump’s supporters as a fight against the “deep state”—will have direct implications for the future of U.S.-Georgia relations.

In March, Ambassador Robin Dunnigan held similar talks with Minister Botchorishvili. During that meeting, Dunnigan reportedly outlined the top foreign policy priorities of President Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio. She suggested steps the Georgian government could take to demonstrate its commitment to repairing and strengthening ties with Washington, including actions to restore public trust in democratic institutions, reduce tensions with civil society, and reaffirm Georgia’s Euro-Atlantic aspirations.

Notably, Ambassador Dunnigan also sought to arrange a direct meeting with Bidzina Ivanishvili, the founder and de facto guiding force behind the Georgian Dream party, to deliver a personal message from the Trump administration. Ivanishvili declined the request. According to sources within the ruling party, he cited “personal complexities” related to previous U.S. sanctions as the reason for his refusal.

Just days before the June 16 meeting, Ambassador Dunnigan announced her decision to step down from diplomatic service. On June 5, she publicly confirmed her intention to retire, describing it as a personal decision made without pressure from her government. She is expected to leave Georgia in July. Although Dunnigan did not link her departure to recent political developments, the timing has sparked speculation about its implications for future U.S.-Georgia diplomacy.

In a parallel effort to ensure continuity in bilateral relations, the Georgian government appointed a new envoy to Washington. On June 10, Tamar Taliashvili—a former Georgian Dream Member of Parliament and current diplomat—was officially named Georgia’s next ambassador to the United States. Her appointment is viewed by observers as a strategic move by the ruling party to maintain influence over Georgia’s diplomatic messaging in Washington during this critical phase of attempted rapprochement.