Bidzina Ivanishvili announces a meeting with the US Ambassador

The founder of the ruling Georgian Dream party and the country's richest man, Bidzina Ivanishvili, has announced that he will meet with the US Ambassador to Georgia, Kelly Degnan, on Friday.

The meeting comes amid heightened tensions between the United States and Georgia over the latter's decision to refuse the extradition of former Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili.

Ivanishvili, who has not held any official position in the Georgian government since 2013, is still seen as the country's de facto leader. He has been critical of the US in the past, accusing it of interfering in Georgia's internal affairs.

However, Ivanishvili's decision to meet with Degnan suggests that he may be willing to improve relations with the US. The meeting is likely to focus on the Saakashvili extradition issue, as well as other issues of mutual interest.

Saakashvili, who is wanted in Georgia on corruption charges, was arrested in Ukraine in October 2021. He has since been extradited to Georgia, where he is currently in prison.

The US has been critical of Georgia's decision to refuse Saakashvili's extradition, arguing that it is a violation of international law. The US has also imposed sanctions on Georgia in response to the decision.

It is unclear what the outcome of the meeting between Ivanishvili and Degnan will be. However, the fact that the two sides are willing to meet suggests that there is a possibility for a resolution to the Saakashvili extradition issue.