Escalating Tensions Between Georgia and Russia: A Closer Look at the Protests and Their Implications

The recent protests in Georgia have been met with a harsh response from the Georgian government, which has sparked outrage from international organizations. The Italian foreign policy institute ISPI has closely monitored the situation and considers it to be a serious escalation of tensions between Georgia and Russia.

According to ISPI researchers, the underlying cause of the protests is a controversial bill proposed by the Georgian government that requires non-governmental organizations and other entities receiving at least 20 percent of their funding from foreign sources to declare themselves as “agents of foreign powers.” This bill, considered contrary to European values, was previously attempted a year ago but was withdrawn due to protests. Additionally, Georgia’s EU candidate status has added to the tension, with the EU high representative for foreign policy condemning the use of force against peaceful assembly in Georgia.

The Russian government has accused the West of stoking anti-Russian sentiment among Georgians and defended the bill, attempting to delegitimize the protests and link them to Western influence. However, Georgian civil society has demonstrated resilience through their protests, drawing comparisons with Ukrainian activism. ISPI researcher Eleonora Tafuro Ambrosetti emphasizes that it is crucial to pay attention to how Russian officials and media describe the demonstrations and their attempts to discredit protestors’ motives.

The situation in Georgia remains complex, with geopolitical ramifications and ongoing tensions between different factions within the country. Despite this, pro-European integration groups continue their efforts towards closer ties with Europe while facing an increasingly authoritarian populist government.