According to US Ambassador, close coordination and communication will continue and Georgia’s views play an important role in planning the corresponding response to Russia.

“Foreign Minister Zalkaliani’s meeting yesterday with NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg and the allies is a good indication of just how important Georgia’s views are in deliberations of our response to Russia,” she said.

“However, it is important to remember that it is Russia that has created this security crisis on Europe’s doorstep. It is Russia that has mast troops on borders of neighbour sovereign nations. It is Russia that occupies sovereign nations here in Georgia, in Ukraine and in Moldova. It is Russia that is trying to overturn 30 years of peace, stability and economic growth benefiting all our countries,” Kelly Degnan said.

The Ambassador added that the United States and European allies were open to meetings and listening. She reiterated that Russia does not have a veto in the voice of Georgia’s or Ukraine’s NATO membership.

“NATO membership is decided by 30 allies and the country that wants to be a member of NATO. Georgia, as a sovereign country, has the right to choose its security and economic partnership. However, high standards, military and political have to be achieved” to become a NATO member,” Degnan stressed.