North Caucasus is burden for Russia

Historically the North Caucasus was a headache for the old Russian Empire. Russia has never received any serious material benefit from this region. However in the 18-19 century Russia began conquering the North Caucasus because it offered the prospect of moving to the South Caucasus and attacking Turkey and Iran from there.

Today Russia wants to exercise influence over the South Caucasus and its moves are motivated by its interest in getting hold of the alternative routes of supplying Europe with energy. Consequently Russia is ready to expend serious material, military and human resources on maintaining control of the North Caucasus republics of the Russian Federation.

Some Georgian experts think that although the North Caucasus peoples receive much support from the Russian Federation they still consider themselves oppressed and will never be Russia’s devoted friends and neighbours.