Pence: U.S. Backs Georgia in NATO Over Russian Objection

Vice President Mike Pence, speaking in Tbilisi, said the U.S. “strongly” supports the Republic of Georgia’s desire to join NATO, despite Russia’s hostility on the subject. Russia has accused the Western military alliance of undermining its security by expanding toward its borders. “We see Georgia as a key strategic partner and stand by your territorial integrity and your aspirations to become a member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization,” Pence told Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili. The vice president also noted that Trump “asked me to extend greetings to you this morning and to say we are with you.” Pence doled out a similar assurance in Estonia, emphasizing that the U.S. stands with the Baltic nations, which he said face a “specter of aggression” from Russia.