Obama invests $1 billion in European security
By Gvantsa Gabekhadze
Thursday, June 5
According the US President Barak Obama, the U.S. is going to invest $1 billion in European security in light of the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
"The U.S. will deploy more equipment in Europe. We will also be increasing our exercises with our allies in Europe. We will be stepping-up our partnerships with Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia as they build up their own defenses,” Obama said on Tuesday at a joint news conference in Warsaw with his Polish counterpart Bronislaw Komorowski.
The Ambassador of the United States to Georgia, Richard Norland commented that Obama's announcement reflects U.S. support for its partners. He stressed that he would be able to speak on the initiative in detail when he gets more information.
“We will get more information in this regard, but President Obama confirmed the support for strengthening the defensive capabilities of Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine. As soon as we have more details, we will inform you,” Norland stated.
Georgia’s Foreign Minister Maia Panjikidze welcomed the statement, stressing that it was a “specific message that will have a specific outcome.”
Member of the Georgian Dream coalition Viktor Dolidze states that the U.S. President’s initiative is not about the deployment of troops.
“He announced a major initiative to bolster military activity. In general, when we talk about strengthening the defence sector, of course, it includes receiving aid from NATO member countries. Therefore, it is very important to us,” Dolidze said.
Member of the United National Movement Giorgi Baramidze claims that the money named by Obama is not enough to boost defence capabilities. Baramidze hopes that more money will be allocated in this direction in the coming years.
“It is a timely decision. If Russia sees that they are able to swallow any state easily, the Russia will be more enthusiastic to undertake aggression,” Baramidze said.
Fellow UNM member Gigi Tsereteli states that the initiative is “the only” way to stop Russian aggression.
