Paata Kvizhinadze: “Georgia has received practically zero financial aid from the United States of America.”
Verdict: FactCheck concludes that Paata Kvizhinadze’s statement is LIE.
The financial aid that Georgia has received from the United States of America exceeds USD 6 billion from 1992 to 2024 with a projected plan for USD 80 million in aid for 2025.
The abovementioned aid, spanning 30 years, has been appointed for humanitarian, economic and military purposes, as well as for the empowerment of institutions and democracy.
It is worth noting that the aid packages began in the 1990s, increased in the 2000s and peaked following the Russo-Georgian war. Whilst the aid declined in the subsequent years, it was never halted and has remained at USD 70-90 million annually.
Considering the magnitude of already implemented, ongoing or planned projects, FactCheck concludes that Paata Kvizhinadze’s statement is LIE.
Analysis
Paata Kvizhinadze, a member of the parliamentary majority, commented on the possibility of sanctions and asserted that the financial aid from the USA to Georgia amounts to practically nothing, stating: “They can sanction me; I am right here, I have no problems with that. Georgia has received practically zero financial aid from the United States of America.”
Diplomatic relations between the USA and Georgia commenced in 1992 with Georgia receiving USD 6 billion from Washington in the form of humanitarian, economic and military aid. The volume of aid peaked after 2008 but now ranges between USD 70 million and USD 90 million per year. The projected plan for USD 80 million in aid for 2025 aims to cover the following purposes:
1) Democratic and economic development
2) Advancement of Euro-Atlantic integration
3) Balancing the rule of law
4) Improving access to independent, reliable and balanced media
5) Promotion of political pluralism
6) Increasing energy security and advancing clean energy
7) Supporting reconciliation efforts including in Abkhazia and South Ossetia
8) Advancement of digitalisation and strengthening cyber security
9) Expanding private-sector competitiveness and agricultural productivity
10) Helping Georgia attract foreign investment
11) Initiatives for increasing border security
The annual aid designated for Georgia amounted to USD 88 million in 2022, 2023 and 2024.
Notably, American aid to Georgia surpassed USD 4.3 billion from 1992 to 2020, with USD 860 million allocated between 1992 and 2000, implying an annual average of USD 96 million. The aid package increased to an annual of USD 135 million in the 2000s prior to the Russo-Georgian war, reaching a total of USD 945 million in the period from 2001 to 2007.
The magnitude of military aid experienced a significant increase in years following the September 11 terrorist attacks. Furthermore, the Georgia Train and Equip Programme was implemented during the same period.
Moreover, the Millennium Challenge Corporation allocated a grant of USD 295 million aimed at rehabilitating roads, pipelines and municipal infrastructure, as well as improving the economic performance of agribusinesses. The five-year grant was signed in 2005.
Financial aid increased substantially following the war, reaching a total of USD 1.4 billion in 2008 and 2009. American aid, complemented by grants and loans from international organisations, played a crucial role in dampening the severity of the economic crisis.
The annual American aid package returned to the USD 70-90 million range in the second decade of the century, a trend that persists to this day.
Notably, an additional USD 1.9 million in aid has been funnelled into Georgia through the US Agency for International Development (USAID) in the past 32 years. Currently, USAID is financing 39 programmes, collectively valued at USD 373 million.
As per USAID's explanation, current programmes are oriented towards facilitating economic reforms, private sector investment, and job creation, as well as strengthening democratic institutions.
The magnitude of American aid has surpassed USD 6 billion including USAID contributions. Furthermore, the grant programme remains active, including a planned aid allocation totalling USD 80 million for 2025. Additionally, whilst not accounted for in the abovementioned USD 6 billion, it is worth noting that the United States of America is the primary financier of key international financial institutions such as the International Monetary Fund and World Bank. Hence, loans and grants received from these sources can also be construed as indirect American funding.
A false narrative, suggesting that the USA has provided no financial aid to Georgia following the establishment of independence, has circulated previously as well. FactCheck evaluated the statement by Alt-Info in 2022 and concluded it to be disinformation.
The abovementioned statement by the member of the parliamentary majority practically echoed the Alt-Info narrative. Considering the magnitude of already implemented, ongoing or planned projects, FactCheck concludes that Paata Kvizhinadze’s statement is LIE.
