From Alaska to Washington – how “Georgian Dream” Twists the Trump-Putin meeting

Following the negotiations in Alaska and Washington, European leaders are continuing their discussions on security guarantees for Ukraine. The Georgia example of 2008 reminds the West that Putin's goals have remained unchanged for years and that negotiations with Russia are unreliable. Now, global attention is turning to the trilateral meetings involving the heads of state of Ukraine, the United States, and Russia.

After the Alaska summit, the impression arose in political circles that while Trump hadn't lost the Russian-American summit, Putin ultimately achieved the better position. Leaders of friendly states of Ukraine advised the US president not to put Ukraine in a position of capitulation. This was also confirmed by the statement by Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski that pressure on the aggressor—not its victims—was necessary for peace.

Parallel reactions occurred in Georgia. While Europe loudly and emphatically supported Ukraine, the members of "Georgian Dream" once again analyzed fabricated conspiracy theories. The top spot in the marathon of humiliations against the Ukrainian people and their president was secured by Tea Tsulukiani, who, with a tasteless joke, attempted to mock not only the president of a country at war, but also the heads of state of the most powerful European states.

Georgian Dream's joy over the Putin-Trump meeting proved short-lived. On August 18, the whole world saw a strong, united, and principled European side standing with Ukraine in Washington.

Whether anyone laughed at Tsulukiani's joke is unknown. But her status post once again demonstrated who Georgian Dream is rooting for in Putin's war. In an interview with "Tiflis24," opposition politician Giorgi Butikashvili of the "Akhali" party speaks openly and in detail about the Russian-inspired propaganda from Bidzina Ivanishvili's circle.

"Peace"

Question: How did Georgian Dream use the Trump-Putin meeting to reinforce its narrative, and what does the Alaska Summit slogan—“Pursuit of Peace”—really mean?

Giorgi Butikashvili: Everything "Georgian Dream" talks about and addresses society is propaganda and an attempt to deceive the public. The context is completely different, and they are trying to distort reality by confusing the facts. Mdinaradze tried to present the context as if it were about the peacemaking that Trump is planning—and that this doesn't just concern Ukraine. Just as we saw in Iran, in the talks between Azerbaijan and Armenia, and with the start of the construction of the Zangezur Corridor. That is the context—not what Mdinaradze is talking about.

Trump's goal is to develop a new geopolitical order in which the US plays the leading role and shifts the rules of the game onto its own turf. That's exactly what happened in Alaska: Trump brought Putin onto his turf. Trump is trying to give Putin the chance to agree to a ceasefire himself and stop the attacks on Ukraine—but that doesn't mean Ukraine should cede territory to Russia. Diplomatically, he's giving Putin an opening. The US president doesn't want to take drastic steps against Russia, as he also sees it as a factor in containing China. Therefore, the war must end, Ukraine must be liberated, and the killing of people must stop—but at the same time, Russia must not be destroyed, because a destroyed Russia strengthens China. And that doesn't fit into the geopolitical order Trump is striving for.

"Georgian Dream" presented all this as if it were about peace—but this peace will not come at the expense of sovereignty, including Ukraine's. On the contrary: In Washington, it became clear that Trump, along with European heads of state and government, is willing to create a security policy concept similar to NATO's Article 5, which protects Ukraine.

“So you want war?” – false dilemma

The majority leader claims that the Trump-Putin meeting showed that Georgia was also intended to be part of the war. What is Mdinaradze basing this on?

Nothing of the sort was discernible from the meeting in Alaska. There was absolutely no indication that Georgia was being dragged into war. Moldova is the best example: It has a pro-Western government, negotiations with the EU have begun, and the integration process has accelerated – because there is peace. But no one dragged Moldova into war. We, too, could have remained with Ukraine and Moldova in the "Association Trio" package, as we once were. No one would have forced us into war. Georgian Dream always tries to justify its anti-democratic steps in this context. If a meeting between Trump and Xi Jinping takes place tomorrow and Trump talks about peace, Georgian Dream will still claim: We kept the peace because they wanted to drag us into war. They attach any piece of context to their narratives as soon as Trump utters the word "peace."

“Good Trump – bad Trump”

Why did Donald Trump suddenly become a role model for the Georgian Dream after the Alaska meeting, even though they had previously often accused him of being controlled by the “deep state”?

Georgian Dream always chooses the Russian path. After the Alaska meeting, it initially seemed as if relations with Putin were easing – and that's why Georgian Dream suddenly became sympathetic to Trump. They like countries and leaders who resemble Putin or who talk about normalizing relations with him. Georgian Dream itself is a proxy for Putin's rule. When Trump takes steps that benefit Putin, as seemed to happen after this meeting, they immediately begin praising him. But as soon as the US imposes secondary sanctions, Georgian Dream would claim that Trump hasn't defeated the "deep state" and is inferior in its fight. This is how they juggle their narratives. These Georgian Dream narratives are oriented exclusively towards Russia and Putin – and not towards our sovereignty or true peace.

Tsulukiani's status

What does Tsulukiani's status update mean to you? Why is a representative of "Georgian Dream" mocking a country at war?

This status demonstrates why "Georgian Dream" is on Putin's side. With her statement, Tsulukiani not only degraded Zelensky and Ukraine, but also the European heads of state who stood by him. Zelensky's strength lies in his standing with strong partners. The potential danger that became apparent after the Alaska meeting—namely, territorial cessions—was thwarted. It was declared: We stand together, sovereignty must be preserved, and security must be discussed. Thus, Putin's plan failed. But Tsulukiani's statement meant that she openly supported Putin's victory in this war.

Putin's victory means that "Georgian Dream" is also triumphing over society and the future of Europe. How closely have they leaned on Putin? It couldn't be clearer. They openly say they welcome Putin's victory. This is precisely what Tsulukiani's status demonstrates. She can't say directly that she loves Putin and has chosen the Russian path—because they haven't yet established total autocracy. Therefore, they speak in allusions, criticize the West, and make it clear: Putin is spiritually close to them. Tsulukiani was annoyed that Zelensky , along with European heads of state, went to Trump—and that the pressure against Zelensky in the US that she had hoped for wasn't exerted. This was precisely what Tsulukiani and "Georgian Dream" could not bear.

Trump–Putin

How does Georgian Dream assess the issue of Georgian sovereignty? What prospects does the country have in relations with the US under this government?

Georgian Dream believes that if Trump manages relations with Putin, this will automatically mean that relations with Georgia will also improve. They believe Russia is the gateway to maintaining relations with the US. They hope that Trump will use the Georgian corridor for geopolitical purposes—but without demanding democracy or human rights from Georgian Dream.

But JD Vance said in Munich that there can be no partnership with the US as long as opposition leaders and journalists are in prison. This is precisely why there has been a lack of communication with the Trump administration to this day. Georgian Dream is taking a direct approach: If the Americans reach an agreement with Russia, then they will reach an agreement with Georgian Dream. Now they are waiting for the US to lose interest in Georgia. For Georgian Dream, sovereignty only exists in the context of Putin. As soon as Trump's stance toward Putin becomes highly critical, they claim: Trump has not defeated the "Deep State." But as soon as they see a scenario like the one in Alaska, they spin it and say: Trump made a wise decision.

This shows that they welcome any rapprochement with Putin. Why? Because they consider themselves part of it.

Chronology of the facts

• August 15, Alaska Summit , slogan: "Striving for Peace." Participants: US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Reuters reported that Putin demanded at the meeting:

  • Recognition of Russian sovereignty over the annexed Crimea,

  • partial lifting of sanctions imposed against Russia,

  • complete withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from the Donetsk and Luhansk regions (in return, Russia would freeze the front line in the Kherson and Zaporizhia regions and possibly return smaller areas in the north of Sumy and northeast of Kharkiv),

  • official recognition of the Russian language in parts or the whole territory of Ukraine,

  • free activity of the Russian Orthodox Church in Ukraine.

• August 18, Washington Meeting : Participants: US President Donald Trump, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky , and European heads of state and government. Europe's message: Territorial issues cannot be resolved according to Putin's scenario. Ukraine is Europe, and Europe will not allow Russia to define its borders. Discussions began on security guarantees for Ukraine, similar to NATO's Article 5.

Security guarantees for Ukraine, the return of Ukrainian children and various formats for a personal meeting between Putin and Zelensky were discussed.

Donald Trump said he had begun a meeting between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The meeting in Alaska demonstrated once again that Putin aims for complete disregard for Ukrainian sovereignty. However, Washington's response—with its emphasis on European unity—thwarted this scenario. In Georgia, however, the "Georgian Dream" narrative remains consistent with Putin's interests.