America News Agency

In his comments, O'Brien suggested that funds could soon be withdrawn, pointing to a growing conviction in the United States that the Georgian government is again moving closer to Russia.

He said the United States had spent billions of dollars to rebuild Georgia after the collapse of the Soviet Union, and hundreds of millions more were planned for the country's economy and military.

“If we are no longer seen as a partner but as an enemy, then all of this needs to be reviewed,” O'Brien told reporters at a press conference in Tbilisi.

The US official spoke as the controversial “foreign agents” bill was backed by 84 votes to 30 of 84 lawmakers, despite demonstrations that brought hundreds of thousands to the streets of Tbilisi.

Under the law, media or civil society groups in Georgia that receive more than 20% of their funding from abroad would be required to register as “organizations serving the interests of a foreign power.”

Under the law, media or civil society groups in Georgia that receive more than 20% of their funding from abroad would be required to register as “organizations serving the interests of a foreign power.”

The US State Department called the bill “Kremlin-inspired” because it echoes legislation added to the Russian law books by Vladimir Putin in 2012, which many say is used to silence critics.

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze said on Monday that the country was being victimized by the US-led “global war party”.