U.S. Vice President Joe Biden has told Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili that he supports his country's desire to join NATO. Georgia's aspirations to join the Western alliance are a sore point with Russia.
The White House says Biden spoke to Garibashvilli on August 22. The two leaders also discussed tensions in Ukraine between the Kyiv government and Russian-backed rebels.
The United States has been offering new assistance to former Soviet nations to draw them closer to Europe.
The White House says Biden and Garibashvilli agreed that strengthening the rule of law in Georgia will help attract foreign investment.