On January 19, Salome Zourabichvili, the fifth President of Georgia, gave an interview to Fox News, urging the US to support the Georgian people over the current regime, which she stated lacks legitimacy and violates the constitution.

During her working visit, Zourabichvili attended a pre-inauguration reception on January 18, where she met key members of the future Trump administration, including Marco Rubio, the nominee for Secretary of State, and Pete Hegseth, the nominee for Secretary of Defense. She described these meetings as initial efforts to "bring Georgia to their minds" and establish ties with the new administration. Zourabichvili noted that she sought assurances from Marco Rubio to engage further, expressing her hope that "Georgia will not become one of their problems, but one of their solutions."

Zourabichvili also reflected on her December 8, 2024, meeting with President-elect Donald Trump in France, facilitated by French President Emmanuel Macron. She emphasized the urgency of US support for Georgia, warning that the unrest in the country could escalate into a full-blown crisis. She stated that Trump reaffirmed his commitment to the US-Georgia partnership and expressed his appreciation for the friendship between the two nations.

In the interview, when asked about Trump’s potential message to Russian President Vladimir Putin, Zourabichvili responded, "Hands off Georgia! Hands off the Caucasus! It cannot become a region dominated by Russia again." She highlighted Georgia's role as a meeting place of civilizations and its vibrant civil society, which aspires to align with the values of Europe and the US.

Discussing the risks of Georgia aligning with Russia, China, and Iran, Zourabichvili warned of the detrimental effects on US strategic interests in the Black Sea and the broader Caucasus region. She explained that the Kremlin employs tactics like rigged elections and installing puppet regimes in Georgia and other countries, including Moldova and Romania, disregarding democracy and constitutional values.

Zourabichvili stressed Georgia’s strategic importance to the US, citing its energy and trade routes and its role as a stronghold of democracy. She stated, "We need America, but I think America needs us too," while also warning of the risks if Georgia’s key Black Sea ports fall under Chinese control due to the actions of the current "de-facto government."