Creeping occupation - Russia does what it wants

Russian occupants have erected banners indicating a new so-called border near the Tbilisi-Gori central highway. A certain section of the Baku-Tbilisi-Supsa pipeline is located nearby. Through the current activities, one part of the pipeline remains under the occupants’ control.

Dragging the so-called administrative border closer by another 300 meters has been assessed as a provocation by the analytical department of the Interior Ministry. However, the Interior Minister has made a quite obscure statement as he could see nothing alarming in the action. He stressed that the Russians have always committed such actions and that no one would touch the pipeline.

The President’s administration highlights that the action provides negative consequences for the whole region’s security.

The administration speaks about maximal involvement of the international community in the issue.

Minister of Defense Tina Khidasheli stated that Russia continues its creeping occupation in Georgia through violating all international norms.

The opposition Free Democrats appeal to the government to work all levers and timely inform the international organizations and foreign states about the Russian actions.

The opposition United National Movement points a figure to former Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili and his team. They stress that the creeping occupation is because of the current government’s indifference and loyalty to Russia.

Analysts believe that the Russian actions are aimed at putting pressure on the Georgian government to force it to concede several points in various fields.

They stress that Russia is doing its best for provoking the government and that we should not be provoked as happened in 2008.

The fact is that Russia does what it wishes and it is not afraid what others say about its actions. We are often taken as an important partner of NATO and the EU and many other influential countries. However, we have to face the Russian aggression alone every day. Concerns alone do nothing to stop Russia.

It is also regrettable that the international norms mainly exist for less powerful countries, while the powerful ones create their own norms and attitudes.