Georgia has always had a complex relationship with Russia, especially after Putin’s actions in Ukraine. In 2003, Georgia was the first country to use a revolution to rid itself of Soviet Union remnants, followed by Ukraine a year later. This triggered alarm bells for Putin, leading to increased repression in Russia and the invasion of Georgia in 2008.
The conflict over the separatist regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia remains unresolved to this day. Georgia’s dependence on Russia economically hinders its ability to break free from Moscow’s influence. Despite being a candidate for EU membership, the country relies heavily on Russian imports, especially wheat, and exports. The fear of another Russian attack since 2008 persists, as Georgia lacks the geographical conditions to defend itself effectively.
Recently, the Georgian government passed an NGO law that can be seen as an attempt to avoid antagonizing Moscow. The ruling party, Georgian Dream, has faced criticism for its lack of progress in reform steps demanded by Brussels, particularly in de-oligarchization. The party’s leader, Bidzina Ivanishvili, with ties to Russia, launched an attack against the West to justify the law. This move raises concerns in Brussels about Putin’s agenda and whether his interference is benefiting Georgian Dream at the expense of necessary reforms.
Despite strong public support for EU membership in Georgia, a freeze in the accession process due to the controversial law could play into Georgian Dream’s hands and hinder necessary reforms. This situation poses a dilemma for Brussels: should they prioritize Putin’s agenda or push forward with necessary reform steps demanded by Georgian citizens?
