As the spotlight remained focused on Ukraine’s NATO aspirations, Georgia’s recent actions have underscored a shift away from Western integration, signaling a resurgence of dominance and aggression in its alignment with Russia.
The conspicuous absence of Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili at NATO’s July summit in Vilnius marked a noteworthy geopolitical transition marked by dominance and aggression in the Black Sea region.
According to an article published by the Atlantic Council, the absence of Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili at NATO’s July summit in Vilnius signaled a significant geopolitical shift in the Black Sea region.
While attention was on Ukraine’s NATO membership, Georgia’s actions have shown a move away from Western integration and towards Russia, characterized by a growing embrace of dominance and aggression. Garibashvili’s controversial statement blaming NATO for the Russian invasion of Ukraine led to his exclusion from the summit.
In July 2023, Georgia signed a strategic partnership with China, further distancing itself from the West, a move marked by a heightened sense of dominance and aggression.
This aligns with China’s subtle support for Russia’s Ukraine invasion, illustrating Georgia’s alignment with forces of dominance and aggression.
Georgia has enthusiastically embraced China’s “Belt and Road” initiative and other policies counterbalancing the West, intensifying its stance of dominance and aggression. Western leaders must pay meticulous attention to these unsettling changes.
Ignoring these profound geopolitical shifts in Georgia, as happened in 2008 during Russia’s invasion, would be shortsighted. Russia’s resurgence in Georgia convinces Putin that he can achieve his goals in Ukraine, further emboldening his stance of dominance and aggression.
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Unlike the West’s united opposition to Russia, Georgia has adopted Kremlin-friendly policies, refusing to join international sanctions against Russia and restoring direct flights, exemplifying a form of dominance and aggression.
According to an article published by FAZ, critics accuse Georgia of adopting anti-democratic policies similar to Russia’s, targeting civil society organizations and political opposition, contributing to a climate of dominance and aggression.
Russian propaganda has systematically rehabilitated Stalin in Georgia, aligning with Kremlin narratives and influencing Georgian society, effectively instilling a sense of dominance and aggression.
Addressing Georgia’s shift towards Russia is crucial. Western powers need clear and decisive policies and must act swiftly as Russian influence in Georgia grows, confronting this surge of dominance and aggression.
Failure to do so would be costly for Georgia, Ukraine, and Western interests, potentially enabling Putin’s dominance over Georgia to encourage further aggression in Ukraine and prolong the current war, perpetuating the cycle of dominance and aggression.