The security environment in Europe was drastically altered by the Russian invasion of Ukraine. While the EU and US, China, Turkey, and other actors are rapidly adapting to the rapidly evolving security environment, Georgia seems not to be paying attention to recent developments.
April 11, 2022
Nino Kvirikashvili
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Articles and Commentary
Tbilisi, Georgia – March 2, 2022: Ukrainian flags can be seen in front shops along Rustaveli avenue during the invasion of and attacks by Russian troops on Ukraine. Photo by Nelson Antoine / Shutterstock
Despite the significant changes occurring in its region, Georgia has maintained a low profile foreign strategy. Georgia’s relatively passive foreign policy is a source of controversy both within the country as well as internationally.
The sidelines are the best place to watch
Formally, Georgia supports Ukraine. The country co-sponsoredThe UN resolution against Russian aggression against Ukraine was supported by the Georgian government, which sent humanitarian aid. On a practical level, the Georgian government hides behind, even though all eyes are on Ukraine. Overgeneralized parliamentary resolutionsIt does not mention Russian aggression, and makes political statements that do not express clear, explicit support for its strategic partner. The ruling Georgian DreamIn the days leading to the war, the party refused to hold a session of parliament on Ukraine. This was again in reference to a pragmatic policy and protecting Georgia’s national interests. Later, the Georgian government refused sanctions against Russia and cited the country’s national interests. The government also RefusedAllowing a flight carrying Georgian volunteers leave for Ukraine was unacceptable. The response from the Ukrainian high officials was dissatisfaction over the actions or inactions of the Georgian governments. Tensions reached as far as Ukraine Recall their ambassadorfor consultations, citing governments immorality. Despite the governments’ inactivity and international criticism, there have been Continuous ralliesIn support of Ukraine in the Georgian Capital, where protesters also criticise government decisions and demand stronger and louder support for Ukraine. The Georgian people see Russia as a threat. They can also relate to Ukraine and the Ukrainian people, since Georgia has suffered Russian aggression in the past.
The West appears to be united, but Ukraine is actively seeking out the best. Security GuaranteesGeorgia seems to be resigning, trying to maneuver and continue the so-called pragmatic relations with Moscow. It has not been a success. The lack of support from the governments and insufficient vocal statements by them sparked protests from the Georgian people, who continue to support Georgia’s integration with Western intuitions. There are fears that Georgia could be used as a loophole by Russia and Russian citizens to escape sanctions. These concerns were further exacerbated when Moscow allowed several Georgian companies to import milk products into Russia. Despite the governments Please explainThe fact that the process started in 2020 raised many questions and sparked protest from the public.
National interests and pro–Western foreign policies
To justify their actions and decisions, the Georgian government often refers frequently to the country’s national interests. Georgia’s national interests were CiteAs a reason to not join the international sanctions against Russia. However, the public demanded the exact opposite of the government in protests before the parliament. Recent opinion polls indicate that the majority in Georgia believe that Georgia must join the sanctions, either fully or partially. This division between the general population, government, and people leads to the assumption of different perceptions of the country’s national interests by the government and the citizens.
According to the National Security Concept of GeorgiaThe Russo–Georgian war of 2008 clearly demonstrated that Russia does not recognize Georgia’s sovereignty nor its right to pursue an independent foreign or internal policy. The same document also emphasizes the importance of integration into western institutions in order to improve the country’s security. The national interests of Georgia include territorial integrity and sovereignty, as well as integration into the European and Euro-Atlantic systems. Russian aggression is listed as one of the main threats to national security. Russia, Georgia, and Ukraine are all considered to be part of its sphere of influence. Influence sphereWhere it holds the exclusive rights. Russia doesn’t recognise these countries’ rights to develop and execute their own internal and external policies. Further evidence of this fact is the Russian invasion in February of Ukraine. This makes it virtually impossible to have a pragmatic relationship with Russia while retaining independence and sovereignty.
Internal divisions and struggles
The war in Ukraine has caused divisions in Georgia’s political elite and society. Georgia has been a Constitutionally declaredGeorgians support a pro-western foreign strategy, which is supported by a majority of the population. Georgia clearly wants to be a member of the western security and political system. The latest statements and actions of the Georgian government raise questions about the country’s commitment to the chosen foreign strategy course.
The protesters in front the Georgian parliament seem to be expressing the will of people, since the most recent public opinion surveys show that 87% of the population believes that the Ukrainian war is Georgias war too96% of respondents believe that recent developments in Ukraine are directly or partially related to Georgia. Despite this, Georgia’s prime minister is still in office. The war in Ukraine is ongoing and the Georgian government must deal with its own problems. The most recent public opinion survey results, published March 15th, shows that 61% believe the government must offer more support to Ukraine and 66% believe Georgia should join the west sanctions either fully or partially.
There are also divergent views among the political elites regarding Georgia’s stance on the war in Ukraine. The President of Georgia, Salome Zurabishvili visited the EU on several occasions and spoke to international media about the war in Ukraine. She also condemned Russian aggression and expressed strong support for Ukraine (Gabritchidze 2022). Later, the president claimed that she was expressing Georgians’ will to protest in front the parliament. Moreover, President Zurabishvili, in her address to the Georgian parliament on Monday, stated that the government had rejected her visits to Paris and Berlin. She was forced to use her personal connections to continue with the planned visits. The government’s neutral or inactive foreign policy stance contrasts starkly with the presidents surprising vocal support for Ukraine. The political establishment clearly shows internal divisions that mirror the division between government and people.
Georgia abandons the new security arrangements
The changing security environment and new realities in Europe have caused many actors to adjust their foreign and security policy. After the Russian aggression against Ukraine support for NATO membership has grown in Finland and Sweden. Considerably. Germany, once cautious, has announced that it will IncreasingIt increased its military spending to improve security, while the EU offered 500m euros worth of arms to Ukraine in what was called a “agreement to be armed”. Watershed decision. Unprecedented numbers of SanctionsAfter the war in Ukraine, various economic sectors were targeted by Russia. This was done to exert pressure on Moscow. Georgia should use this moment to speak out about Russian aggression in Ukraine, in the context the Russo–Georgian War in 2008. This is especially true given that many of those who have prosecuted wars in Ukraine were also involved in the 2008 war against Georgia. The Georgian government must use all international platforms to support Ukraine and condemn Russia’s invasion of the country.
Ukraine is actively seeking security cooperation with its western partners. Just days before the war, Ukraine signed an agreement. Security agreementThe UK and Poland are aiming to ensure stability and resilience in Ukraine. This trilateral cooperation was born in response to recent developments regarding Ukraine in the period leading up to war. Georgia should participate in western security initiatives as it has a similar security situation to Ukraine. Although the UK, Poland, and Ukraine have already discussed security cooperation, Georgia has not been able to make use of it.
Rare opportunity for Georgia
The experts and the public seem to understand that Georgia has the potential to move closer to the West in the past. The protests by the public after Ukraine applied for EU membership led to the request that the Georgian government follow the example of Ukraine. Georgian application to EU. Soon after, Moldova did exactly the same. President Zurabishvili, too RecognizedGeorgia has a window for opportunity and that the EU can assist it in its fight against Russian aggression. Georgia finds itself at a crucial moment where it must decide its place in the international system, and reaffirm its commitments. There is no middle ground. In this context, Georgia must make a firm and unambiguous choice. Georgia now has a narrow window of opportunity to determine its place in a dramatically changing security environment. This window of opportunity is very short and Georgia must seize it immediately. The country will be left behind in the post-war security climate in Europe if the current government policy is maintained. Georgia’s main priority should be to take advantage of the recent international and regional developments to meet its security needs. But, the populace is divided and the political elites are not. These opposing groups must come together to serve the best interests Georgia.
Nino KvirikashviliShe is a second year MA student at Jagiellonian University Krakow under the Erasmus Mundus double degree Masters program in Central and East European and Russian Studies (IMRCEES). She previously received a BA in International Relations from Tbilisi State University. She is currently an editorial intern at New Eastern Europe
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Georgia, Georgia-EU Relations, Georgian Dream. South Caucasus
