Georgia Remains Target of Attempted Russian Influence

Zaal Anjaparidze

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Executive Summary:Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze acknowledged challenges in Georgia-EU relations in early February, citing bureaucratic obstacles, while reaffirming Georgia’s pro-European stance despite concerns that the current ruling party is leading the country toward Russia and undermining democratic principles.

Political turbulence in Georgia following its October 2024 parliamentary elections provides Russia with more resources to impede Georgia’s integration with the West.

Moscow is leveraging economic, political, and ideological pressure to expand its influence in Georgia. This includes strengthening economic ties, exploiting Orthodox unity, and supporting pro-Russian narratives.

Georgia remains economically reliant on Russia in terms of trade, gas imports, and investments. This dependence grants Moscow significant political leverage, creating vulnerabilities to Russian pressure.

Western sanctions on Georgia risk fueling anti-Western sentiment and pushing the country further into Russia’s orbit. Georgia’s integration with the West, particularly with the European Union, will remain in jeopardy as long as the political status quo is maintained.

In a February 6 interview with Euronews, Prime Minister of Georgia Irakli Kobakhidze admitted to complicated relations between Georgia and the European Union, attributing this to “significant challenges with the European bureaucracy” (Euronews, February 6). Kobakhidze still expressed optimism, however, about Georgia’s prospects for EU membership and reaffirmed the unshakable pro-European orientation of Georgia and its government. In the same interview, he vehemently excluded the possibility of restoration of diplomatic relations with Russia until the latter withdrew its recognition of Georgia’s secessionist regions Abkhazia, which recently held presidential elections, and South Ossetia as independent states (Euronews, February 6; see EDM, February 12). These statements were a response to reprimands from the West that Georgia is deviating from its former European trajectory. There remains a growing perception in both Georgia and Europe that the former is drifting away from the West and democracy in favor of growing closer to Russia (1tv.ge, January 18; Civil.ge; PACE, January 29; Eeas.europa, February 7).