Russia says US is blackmailing Georgia over ‘foreign agent’ law

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova on Thursday accused the US of blackmailing Georgia over a “foreign agent” bill passed by the country’s parliament this month.

The US has threatened to cut aid to Georgia and impose sanctions on officials over the bill, which has sparked major protests in Georgia.

Opponents of the bill says it is authoritarian and Russian-inspired. The Georgian ruling party says it is needed to ensure transparency in foreign funding of NGOs and protect the country’s sovereignty.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Wednesday the law was “right out of Moscow’s playbook” and that Washington was very concerned and looking at taking action.