Reuters reported that Steve Nikandros, co-founder of Texas oil company Frontera, is lobbying for the Georgian Dream in private communications with US congressmen. Reuters writes in an article published on October 23 that a bipartisan group of American Democrats and Republicans has been trying to pass a bill in recent months that would punish the Georgian government, which is increasingly leaning towards Moscow. This is happening against the backdrop of President Donald Trump increasingly showing a willingness to put pressure on Russia, which is continuing its war in Ukraine—which was reflected in the imposition of tough sanctions on oil companies on October 22.

Among the steps to increase pressure on Tbilisi is Republican Joe Wilson’s initiative, supposedly the “Georgian Nightmare Non-Recognition Act,” which, according to Reuters, would “prohibit the U.S. government from recognizing the legitimacy of the Georgian government, led by the populist, conservative “Georgian Dream.” According to the publication, Republican donor Steve Nikandros, known in Georgia as the founder and current head of Frontera, sent a letter on September 30 to some members of the House Foreign Relations Committee thanking them for their stance against the measure. “The letter, which was seen by Reuters, also calls on lawmakers to take further steps against the final adoption of the measure, as the bill awaits a full House vote after committee approval.” Steve Nikandros did not respond to an emailed request for comment from Reuters.

Georgia’s ambassador to the United States, Tamar Taliashvili, told the publication that while Steve Nikandros is an “innovator,” her government currently has no lobbying ties in the United States. Taliashvili said U.S.-Georgia relations have deteriorated under Joe Biden, but there is a chance that things could improve under the Trump administration.

In early September, RFE/RL reported that Oklahoma Republican Senator Mark Wayne Mullin is actively opposing the decision to include the “Friends Act” in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). Mullin, who has previously criticized Tbilisi over its dealings with Texas oil company Frontera, says his current stance is not related to Frontera’s improved relations with the government. After the arbitration dispute with Frontera ended and millions of dollars were spent, the government initially threatened to terminate the contract in 2020, but it has since reversed itself and resumed negotiations. RFE/RL has learned that the American company owes the Georgian government 15.4 million GEL, an amount the state corporation considers “irrecoverable.”