Georgia, which has been criticized for using "excessive force" to crack down on anti-government protests, has become increasingly authoritarian, according to Western governments.

Protesters have gathered across Georgia in a third straight night of demonstrations against the government’s decision to suspend negotiations to join the European Union

Protesters rallied in Georgia’s capital for a fourth straight night on Sunday and there were signs that opposition was spreading across the country to the government’s decision to suspend talks on joining the European Union.

Protesters gathers across Georgia for the fourth night after police used water cannon yesterday in a crackdown.

The government’s decision to suspend its bid for European Union membership has driven thousands of protesters into the streets.

The ruling party has made the country "more vulnerable to the Kremlin," U.S. State Department spokesman, Matthew Miller, said on Saturday.