Threat of Russian Aggression

Not far away from the Tbilisi-Gori central highway, Russian troops recently installed signs marking the "state border" of the breakaway region of South Ossetia, but they did not stop there and have launched military drills in the Tskhinvali region. This seems to be an attempt by Moscow to put some more pressure on the Georgian government, which is in fact doing its best to somehow settle relations with its neighbour.

Although the Georgian government tries to gather international support in resisting Russian aggression, Moscow has no plans to change its policy. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia once again issued an official statement calling on Moscow to fulfil its international obligations and withdraw troops from Georgian territory.

According to the State Minister of Georgia for Reconciliation and Civic Equality Paata Zakareishvili, there is a chance that military drills are not connected to installing border signs, but there is no doubt it is a yet another provocation from the Russian side.

“It is a provocation and an attempt to cause further tension and destabilization in the region,” Zakareishvili said. The minister claims the Georgian government is prepared and ready for similar provocations and its well planned policy will not let Moscow achieve its goals.

Georgian political analyst Tornike Sharashenidze, agrees with the officials and says Moscow has been very provocative, but he advises the government to take preventive measures, rather than react on Russian provocation afterwards.

“The world has to know what is going on here, we have to be on air on foreign media channels for 24/7. It is very important that the whole world watches what Russians are trying to do in Georgia. It is unreasonable to speak about settled relations with Russia, as this will lead us to total isolation,” Sharashenidze said.

Vakhtang Maisais, an expert in security issues, says Russia has launched its military aggression with the sole aim to gain a control over strategic communications in the South Caucasus.

“This is not only an occupation, this is an aggression and the third phase will be intervention.’ Analyst Vakhtang Maisaia told for.ge agency.

The fact is that there is a great threat coming from Moscow. However, neither Georgia nor the international community has had appropriate reaction on it: not just expressing concern about its behaviour, but taking steps to stop it. There is a common belief here in Georgia that if the world had taken the adequate moves when Russia attacked Georgia in 2008, Moscow wouldn’t have dared to annex and occupy Crimea and unleash its aggression in the eastern Ukrine.