During a press conference for graduates of the Georgian Foundation for Strategic and International Studies Training Seminar, Kelly Degnan, the US Ambassador to Georgia, commented on the explosion that occurred on the Crimea bridge, saying that there is much speculation about the whole incident and to the extent that it has set back Russia's brutal attacks against the Ukrainians.

Degnan stated that in terms of what transpired with this vehicle, she does not think anybody has that knowledge. According to Ambassador Degnan, the United States collaborates extensively with Georgia's border patrol, coast guard, and immigration departments. "To strengthen their capability and assist them in defending their borders against Russian aggression, we have cooperated with these agencies for decades and will continue to do so," she added.

When questioned about letters that keep coming to her from the People Power movement, an anti-Western branch of the Georgian Dream party, questioning the US involvement in Georgia, she said that they have been extremely upfront about why the United States cares about Georgia and what the United States has been doing in Georgia. She said that over the last 30 years, regardless of the party in power, the US has helped Georgia strengthen its democratic institutions, defend its borders, grow its economy, and be more secure. According to Degnan, Georgia was already a highly progressive democracy in 1918, and you are now taking that up again. "The United States has been supporting Georgia's efforts to develop those democratic institutions, not only because that is what the overwhelming majority of Georgians desire, but also because it is necessary to bring Georgia closer to the European Union, which should be the focus of all Georgia's Members of Parliament," she continued. 

She emphasized, "Georgia has done so much and accomplished so much. The next step is attainable, but Georgia's leaders must devote all their attention to achieving it for the state's citizens. The United States is focused on supporting Georgia because we know that's what the people of Georgia care about most."

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