The United States has sanctioned Bidzina Ivanisjvili, founder and leader of the ruling party Georgian Dream, citing his undermining of democracy in favor of Russia. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken held Ivanisjvili’s party accountable for violent repression against protesters and opposition members. In response, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky welcomed the sanctions. Ivanisjvili’s assets in U.S. banks will be frozen as ties between Georgia and Russia strengthen, prompting allegations of election fraud and mass protests against the government.