The Kyiv Independent
News, analyses, investigations, opinions, podcasts and more. On-the-ground reporting from Ukraine
Georgian PM refuses to visit US due to condition regarding 'foreign agents' law.
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze will not travel to the U.S. because he was invited under the condition that Tbilisi suspend discussions on the controversial "foreign agents" law in parliament, the Georgian Foreign Ministry said on May 2.
The statement came after U.S. Ambassador to Tbilisi Robin Dunnigan said that Georgian officials had declined an invitation to the U.S. to discuss strategic partnership and Washington's assistance.
The ministry said that the invitation for Kobakhidze contained a clause to temporarily suspend consideration of the "foreign agents" draft law.
The ruling Georgian Dream party recently reintroduced the legislation in parliament, renaming it a bill on the "transparency of foreign influence" but keeping the intent of the previous law essentially identical.
The bill, which must be passed in three readings before it becomes law, would require organizations that receive foreign funding to be labeled as "foreign agents." The law mirrors repressive Russian laws used to crack down on Kremlin regime critics, and is popularly referred to in Georgia as the "Russian law."
"Conducting the visit with reservations is at odds with the spirit of partnership, which should be based on mutual respect and mutual trust,” the ministry said, adding that Dunnigan received “a detailed explanation.”
For the past two weeks, thousands of protesters have gathered nightly in front of the Georgian parliament building in Tbilisi.
Georgian police violently attempted to disperse a demonstration in opposition to the "foreign agents" law on April 30 and May 1. At least eight protesters were reportedly injured.
A similar bill was retracted in 2023 following mass protests. EU officials have previously indicated that the enactment of the law would negatively impact Georgia's prospects for EU membership.
The European Parliament passed a resolution condemning the "foreign agents" law on April 25.
Syrskyi: Russia expanding attacks in Kharkiv Oblast, 'tough battles ahead'.
Syrski's comments came a day after President Volodymyr Zelensky told journalists Russian troops were able to advance as far as 10 kilometers (6 miles) deep during their offensive in Kharkiv Oblast, but the front in the region has been stabilized.
Media: Ukrainian coal businessman Kropachov detained.
Ukrainian businessman Vitaliy Kropachov is the owner of the Ukrdoninvest Group of companies with assets in the coal industry, machine-building, construction, transportation, and media.
Zelensky: No reports of artillery shortages for past 2 months.
Over the winter months, Ukraine's armed forces suffered a "critical" shortage of artillery shells, in large part due to delays in U.S. military aid.
Zelensky: Russia's Kharkiv Oblast offensive reaches 10 km in some areas, halted by 1st defense line.
Russian troops were able to advance as far as 10 kilometers (6 miles) deep in some areas during their offensive in Kharkiv Oblast, but the front in the region has been stabilized, President Volodymyr Zelensky told journalists on May 16.
Police: Russia using civilians in Vovchansk as human shields.
Serhii Bolvinov, the head of the investigative department of the police of the Kharkiv Oblast, said on air on Suspilne that up to 40 civilians, most of them elderly, had been taken captive when trying to escape Russian shelling.
Plane catches fire after landing in the US
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Bohemians-Palestine match: 'We will go home knowing we are not alone'.
The historic first match in Europe by any senior Palestine national football team will take place in Dublin’s Dalymount Park. Video: Enda O'Dowd
JP Morgan boss: It doesn't have to be war with China.
The head of the world's biggest bank has told Sky News the West should "fully engage" with China rather than seeking confrontation. Jamie Dimon, chief executive of JP Morgan Chase, said the US was taking the right approach by holding talks with Be...
Four kids left: The Thai school swallowed by the sea.
Ban Khun Samut Chin, a coastal village in Samut Prakan province, Thailand, has been slowly swallowed by the sea over the past few decades. Subscribe to The Guardian on YouTube ► This has led to the relocation of the school and many homes, resultin...
This is where Donald Trump could take the witness stand.
Former federal prosecutor Katie Cherkasky makes the case as to why Michael Cohen's testimony cannot 'be believed' during 'Fox & Friends First' after he admitted to several lies while on the witness stand. #FoxNews Subscribe to Fox News! Watch more...
Watch live: Urgent Question on Georgia unrest and Ukraine war in House of Commons.
Watch live as Jim Shannon MP asks the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on Russia’s aggression relating to Ukraine and the situation in Georgia. It comes as the head of the Ukrainian police force in the Kharkiv region has ...