US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has met with Georgian Defense Minister Burchuladze.

"Thank you to Minister Burchuladze for extending such a warm welcome on my first visit to Georgia as Secretary of Defense. The United States values Georgia as a strategic partner, and our support for Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity is unwavering," Secretary Austin said in a tweet.

According to the US Embassy to Georgia, Secretary Austin will also meet with Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili to reaffirm U.S. support for Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and underscore the importance of the U.S.-Georgia strategic partnership in addressing regional and global security challenges. The leaders will also discuss bilateral security cooperation and encourage greater regional cooperation in the Black Sea.