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SD235 - Its's linked with the Geopolitics of the region and the success or failure of FRR.

10.08.2022 / 14:27AA
Representatives of the EU and US embassies met with the representatives of the parliamentary opposition in the parliament.

Julien Cramps, Acting Head of the EU Mission in Georgia, and Lana Owen and Evan Elliott, Political Officers of the US Embassy, ??were present in the Parliament.

Foreign diplomats met separately with the chairman of the "Citizens" parliamentary political group, Aleksandre Elisashvili , the chairman of the "Lelo - Partnership for Georgia" parliamentary political group, David Usupashvili , the chairman of the "United National Movement" faction, Khatia Dekanoidze, and the deputy of the "For Georgia" party, Mikheil Daushvili.

The talks were about the progress of the implementation process of the 12-point recommendations of the European Union.

"We talked about how the 12 tasks we have from the European Union are being carried out in order to receive the long-awaited EU membership candidacy, I told the guests what is being done in the parliament, how intensively these working groups are working, how much the opposition is involved in this matter. Special attention was paid to justice reform.

I told him that we are the only party that presented an alternative vision, apart from "Georgian Dream", regarding justice reform and how important it is," said Aleksandre Elisashvili after the meeting.

According to Davit Usupashvili , the representatives of both embassies expressed their readiness to help us in this direction while talking about the issues related to the status of the EU membership candidate.

"They are interested in how the depolarization process will proceed. I introduced them to Lelo's position that we will actively participate in these issues at the committee and plenary sessions, as for the preparatory stage, working groups, etc., here it is better for everyone to reconcile their opinions and where these issues are actually discussed in an open process, i.e. the committees At the sessions, we should present our positions," Usupashvili said.

Anne-Bridget Hansen, an employee of the EU mission, also participated in the meetings.

https://www.interpressnews.ge/ka/article/722466-evrokavshirisa-da-ashsh-is-saelchos-carmomadgenlebi-parlamentshi-saparlamento-opoziciis-carmomadgenlebs-she

Part 5

- Many people discuss this topic, but everyone understands that it is impossible for anyone to hope that Finland, which was part of the Russian Empire until 1917, will join Russia.

- That is why the Finns accelerated their entry into NATO...

- Yes, Finland joined NATO. Nor can anyone hope that Poland will be part of Russia.

As for the former republics of the USSR, of course, in the subconscious of a certain part of Russian political circles and society, they are perceived as parts of Russian territories.

"Interpress News"

Koba Bendeliani

https://www.interpressnews.ge/ka/article/722447-giorgi-kunaze-rusetis-rezhimis-kraxi-gardauvalia-dges-ukve-cxadad-chans-rom-es-mxolod-drois-sakitxia

Part 4

Transfers from Russia to Georgia are also a record. According to the latest data, almost 700 million US dollars have been transferred from Russia to Georgia. Many Russian citizens acquire property and register businesses in Georgia. Private Russian schools and kindergartens will be opened by September. Russian music is heard mostly in prestigious restaurants.

What can be connected with the abundance of Russian tourists in Georgia?

- This will be partially related to the fact that the number of citizens in Russia who want to leave the country due to the ongoing war in Ukraine is quite large. Georgia is one of the countries where they can enter without a visa.

Probably, many assume that after arriving in Georgia, he will be able to travel freely to other countries of the world. Now, to get from Moscow to Amsterdam, you need to get to Tbilisi, or Yerevan, or Baku. Or to Istanbul, but flying to Istanbul is more expensive. Getting to Georgia is easier. You can get to Georgia by car.

I think that the number of tourists coming to Georgia from Russia, or the number of people who want to live in Georgia temporarily before the war in Ukraine, will increase even more in the future.

I think that the number of tourists coming to Georgia from Russia, or the number of people who want to live in Georgia temporarily before the war in Ukraine, will increase even more in the future.

I think that Georgia will also have an economic profit from this process. I think this is normal. It is good for Russian tourists to come to Georgia for vacation from the point of view that now Russian tourists who want to vacation in other countries may have problems coming to other countries.

As for Russian music in restaurants. It seems that the restaurant owners try to focus on the taste of the customers. This is their commercial interest.

- There has never been a problem with the rest of Russian tourists in Georgia. It's just that now it's happening against the background of Russian aggression in Ukraine. In TV polls, tourists say they know nothing about Russia occupying 20% ??of the host country.

Moreover, most of them focus on whether it would be good if we still lived in one country, the USSR. That is, they say what President Putin has been saying for a long time.

All this, at least, clearly gives the basis for unpleasant and not so unreasonably dangerous thoughts...

- It is natural that there may be grounds for such unpleasant thoughts, even because the Russian president openly declares that he dreams of restoring the USSR.

Although it has a different name, it refers to the territories controlled by Moscow during the USSR.

- Putin stated several times before and after the start of the war in Ukraine that he wants to restore not the USSR, but the Russian Empire within the borders of 1917...

Part 3

Moreover, in order to effectively respond to Moscow, the Kremlin would not have dared to annex Crimea in 2014 and then occupy parts of Luhansk and Donbas regions.

It is clear that the leaders of Russia do not notice the calls of the leaders of the West for Russia to comply with the agreement of August 12, 2008, but according to your observation, sooner or later Russia will have to comply with this agreement?

- I would say this, after this agreement was signed, a long time has passed, Russia recognized the caricature independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, signed security agreements with them and, as Russia thinks, based on this, it legally received the right to have its military units in these territories. By this I want to say that after August 12, 2012 some changes have taken place.

Second - in the situation when Russia has refused all its obligations to all the countries of the world, including Georgia, the request from Russia to do something even to fulfill the agreement of August 12, 2008, of course, the request is possible, but it is impossible for anyone to have Expectation that Russia will fulfill this agreement.

And thirdly, what I want to say on this topic, as far as I understand, the current government of Georgia is not in the mood to accept anything for its benefit from Russia. Therefore, in such a background, it is unfortunately impossible to talk about the fact that Russia will fulfill the August 12 agreement.

The current government of Georgia is not in the mood to get anything from Russia in its favor. Therefore, in such a background, it is unfortunately impossible to talk about the fact that Russia will fulfill the August 12 agreement

- Did I understand correctly - the government of Georgia will not demand the Kremlin to fulfill the agreement of August 12, 2008?

- Formally, he probably demands it with words, but he will not be too offended if Moscow does not fulfill this agreement.

- What could this mean?

- This may mean that the relations between Russia and Georgia will be quite correct if not friendly. I have the impression that the current government of Georgia is much more patient and conciliatory towards the Russian regime than the European Union, the USA, NATO and the supporters of Washington.

I am under the impression that the current government of Georgia is much more patient and conciliatory towards the Russian regime than the European Union, the USA, NATO and Washington's supporters.

- Against the backdrop of the war in Ukraine, there is a boom in Russian tourists in Georgia. Various data are available. It is a fact that the abundance of Russian tourists is noticeable not only in Tbilisi and Batumi, but also in other tourist regions.

Part 2

In such a situation, it is hard to imagine that Ukraine will make any concessions and agreements. The situation on the Ukrainian fronts is such that Russia should not expect an easy victory.

A serious war is going on in Ukraine. It does not matter that what is happening in Ukraine now, in Russia they will only call a special operation or something else. In fact, there is a war in Ukraine, and in this war Ukraine does not look like a losing side yet.

- We get daily information about the ongoing processes in Ukraine. Taking into account that the parties have quite a lot of resources to wage war, the impression remains that the Russian-Ukrainian conflict in Ukraine will continue for a long time...

- It is difficult for me to predict how long the hostilities will last. How long this war will last, no one can say for sure. No matter how hard we try, we cannot predict this.

I don't think that over time Ukraine's positions will weaken and Russia will strengthen and become even stronger. This is because the Western sanctions against Russia, which are unprecedented in the history of international relations, are in effect. I think that the cumulative effect of sanctions will increasingly have a negative impact on the Russian economy.

I don't think that over time Ukraine's position will weaken and Russia will become stronger and stronger... I think that the cumulative effect of sanctions will increasingly have a negative impact on the Russian economy

EU countries announced that they will give up Russian oil by the end of the year. In the near future, EU countries will be forced to give up Russian gas. Undoubtedly, all this will seriously harm the Russian economy.

As it turned out, Russia will not be able to exist in an autonomous regime. The USSR had such an opportunity because it was not as integrated into the world economy as modern Russia.

Today, the Russian economy is highly dependent on foreign supplies in many areas. I think that Russia and Russian citizens will increasingly feel the burden of economic sanctions against Russia.

As for the war, no matter what financial resources Russia has for waging war, it is clear that waging the type of war that Russia is waging now is quite expensive. I am not sure that Russia has the money and human resources to wage war in Ukraine indefinitely.

- In a few days there will be another anniversary of the agreement of August 12, 2008. The agreement obliges Russia to withdraw Russian armed forces from Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali region.

After the start of the war in Ukraine by Russia, the leaders of the Western countries have often talked about the fact that their reaction to the Russian aggression against Georgia in August 2008 was inadequate.

10.08.2022 / 12:57AA
Giorgi Kunadze - the collapse of the Russian regime is inevitable, today it is already clear that it is only a matter of time
Giorgi Kunadze - the collapse of the Russian regime is inevitable, today it is already clear that it is only a matter of time
twitter

" Interpressnews" spoke to the former Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Russia, former Russian Ambassador to South Korea, Professor Giorgi Kunadze .

- Mr. Giorgi, the war has been going on in Ukraine for the seventh month. The West is helping Ukraine with military equipment to protect itself from Russian aggression, Russia, despite its economic and financial problems, is said to have enough resources to wage war.

How would you assess the situation we are currently observing in Ukraine?

- In my opinion, now the situation in Ukraine is a dead end. Absolutely everything that Russia has been doing in Ukraine since 2014 has nothing to do with the spirit and norms of international law and even contradicts the legislation of Russia itself. Any attempt to argue the contrary is legally baseless and immoral.

If we call everything by its proper name, the situation is as follows - the Russian authorities have lost their minds and cannot see a way out of the Ukrainian impasse in which they have found themselves. Reigning more and more in lies, lawlessness and universal contempt. In such a surprising situation, the collapse of the Russian regime is inevitable. Today it is already clear that it is only a matter of time.

The Russian authorities have lost their minds and cannot see a way out of the Ukrainian impasse in which they have found themselves. Reigning more and more in lies, lawlessness and universal contempt

It is a dead end primarily because Russia practically demands capitulation from Ukraine. Russia, at least, should be satisfied with the territorial "acquisitions" it currently has - Zaporizhia, Kherson, Oblasts and so on. But everyone understands that Russia should not only have a land corridor with Crimea, but also with Transnistria.

Even if somehow Ukraine agrees to cede a few more districts to Russia, I don't think Russia will be satisfied with that.

The main thing in my opinion is that Russia has claims to control all of Ukraine. The existence of a sovereign Ukrainian state is unacceptable for Russia. In such a situation, negotiations between the parties have no meaning.

If we observe what is happening in Russia today, listen to Russian TV channels, read the opinions of Russian officials on Twitter, we will clearly see that Russia wants to completely destroy Ukraine.

If we observe what is happening in Russia today, listen to Russian TV channels, read the opinions of Russian officials on Twitter, we will clearly see that Russia wants to completely destroy Ukraine.

Part 2

The process of disintegration of the government has begun. Processes have already started in various agencies that will contribute to the delegitimization of the "Georgian Dream" government, so this case will be an assessment of the oligarchic governance and criminal system of "Georgian Dream". Prosecutors and investigators should know that they cannot follow the "Georgian dream" and stand above the law. There will definitely be a period in Georgia when this criminal case will be investigated and their activities will be investigated further to see how conscientiously and legally they perform their activities. They will have to stand above oligarchic interests", said Levan Bezhashvili.

For information, based on the documents handed over by the former deputy head of the SUS, Soso Gogashvili, non-governmental organizations claim that a large-scale scheme of mobilizing voters' votes in favor of the ruling party by illegal means has been revealed, with a high probability of using state agencies, including law enforcement agencies, for electoral/party purposes. is confirmed. According to the information of non-governmental organizations, personal information about employees of budgetary organizations and other citizens was probably collected through these agencies, probably in order to put pressure on them in the future.

https://www.interpressnews.ge/ka/article/722337-nacionaluri-mozraoba-genprokuraturas-gancxadebit-mimartavs-da-archevnebis-shesazlo-gaqalbebastan-dakavshirebit-sakmis-gamoziebis-dacqebas-itxovs

Truth Starting to Leak Out?

09.08.2022 / 12:31AA
"National Movement" applies to the General Prosecutor's Office with a statement and requests to start an investigation of the case regarding the possible fraud of the elections.

"United National Movement" applies to the General Prosecutor's Office of Georgia and requests the initiation of a criminal investigation related to the issue of election fraud, "United National Movement" member Levan Bezhashvili said about this to the General Prosecutor's Office of Georgia, where he brought the statement submitted on behalf of his party.

According to Bezhashvili, the "National Movement" demands the initiation of an investigation related to election fraud based on the information published by the former head of the Security Council, Soso Gogashvili.

"The public is informed that the former deputy head of the State Security Service, Soso Gogashvili, has published relevant evidence, which clearly substantiates the systematic organized crime of rigging the elections on the part of the government, in which both the party organization in the form of "Georgian Dream", as well as state structures, the State Security Service are involved. , Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Internal Affairs, local municipalities. A unified criminal state system was created, which was aimed at falsifying elections and thereby seizing the government by "Georgian Dream".

With this criminal case, the process of delegitimization of the "Georgian Dream" government should begin. Oligarchic rule has created a system where the state is hijacked, where neither the court, nor the prosecutor's office, nor the law enforcement agencies serve the people, so we demand the initiation of an investigation into specific election fraud. We appeal to the investigators and prosecutors of the prosecutor's office that this case will definitely be under public scrutiny. They will have to investigate this case, or else their cases will be investigated separately for abuse of office.

Part 4

32. Khatuna Samnidze - Member of the Parliament of Georgia (political party "Republicans")

Gubazsanikidze - Member of the Parliament of Georgia (parliamentary faction "United National Movement" - united opposition "is united in force")
34. Sulkhan Sibashvili - Member of the Parliament of Georgia (parliamentary faction "United National Movement" - united opposition "strength is in unity")

35. Davit Usupashvili - member of the Parliament of Georgia (political party "Try for Georgia")

36. Bachuki Kardava - member of the Parliament of Georgia (parliamentary faction "United National Movement" - united opposition "Strength is in unity")

37. Shalva Shavgulidze - member of the Parliament of Georgia (independent deputy)

Tamarcharkviani - Member of the Parliament of Georgia (Political Party "Law and Justice")
39. Cezari Chocheli - member of the Parliament of Georgia (parliamentary faction "United National Movement" - united opposition "Strength is in unity")

40. Nato Chkheidze - Member of the Parliament of Georgia (parliamentary faction "United National Movement" - united opposition "Strength is in unity")

41. Rostom Chkheidze - Member of the Parliament of Georgia (parliamentary faction "United National Movement" - united opposition "Strength is in unity")

42. Anna Tsitlidze - Member of the Parliament of Georgia (parliamentary faction "United National Movement" - united opposition "Strength is in unity")

43. Davit Khajishvili - Member of the Parliament of Georgia (parliamentary faction "United National Movement" - united opposition "strength is in unity")

44. Levan Khabeishvili - Member of the Parliament of Georgia (parliamentary faction "United National Movement" - united opposition "strength is in unity")

45. Ekaterine Sarkeulidze - Member of the Parliament of Georgia (parliamentary faction "United National Movement" - united opposition "Strength is in unity")

46. ??Giorgi Khojevanishvili - Member of the Parliament of Georgia (political party "For Georgia")

47. Devi Chankotadze - member of the Parliament of Georgia (parliamentary faction "United National Movement" - united opposition "Strength is in unity")

48. Teimuraz Janashia - member of the Parliament of Georgia (parliamentary faction "United National Movement" - united opposition "strength is in unity").

https://www.interpressnews.ge/ka/article/721796-48-opozicioneri-deputati-kartul-ocnebas-ertoblivi-gancxadebit-mimartavs-ashsh-s-da-evrokavshiris-cinaagmde

Part 3

11. Khatia Dekanoidze - Member of the Parliament of Georgia (parliamentary faction "United National Movement" - united opposition "Strength is in unity")

12. Levan Varshalomidze - Member of the Parliament of Georgia (parliamentary faction "United National Movement" - united opposition "strength is in unity")

13. Giorgi Vashadze - member of the Parliament of Georgia (political party "Strategy Agmashenebeli")

14. Abdulla Ismailov - Member of the Parliament of Georgia (parliamentary faction "United National Movement" - united opposition "Strength is in unity")

15. Shalva Kereselidze - Member of the Parliament of Georgia (political party "For Georgia")

16. Manuchar Kvirkelia - member of the Parliament of Georgia (parliamentary faction "United National Movement" - united opposition "strength is in unity")

17. Vakhtang Kikabidze - Member of the Parliament of Georgia (parliamentary faction "United National Movement" - united opposition "strength is in unity")

18. Davit Kirkitadze - Member of the Parliament of Georgia (parliamentary faction "United National Movement" - united opposition "strength is in unity")

19. Tamar Kordzaia - member of the Parliament of Georgia (independent deputy)

20. Beka Liluashvili - Member of the Parliament of Georgia (political party "For Georgia")

21. Nona Mamulashvili - Member of the Parliament of Georgia (parliamentary faction "United National Movement" - united opposition "strength is in unity")

22. Paata Manjgaladze - Member of the Parliament of Georgia (political party "Strategy Agmashenebeli")

23. Nika Machutadze - Member of the Parliament of Georgia (parliamentary faction "United National Movement" - united opposition "Strength is in unity")

24. Akaki Minashvili - Member of the Parliament of Georgia (parliamentary faction "United National Movement" - united opposition "Strength is in unity")

25. Alexander is a writer - member of the Parliament of Georgia (political party "For Georgia")

26. Tariel Nakaidze - member of the Parliament of Georgia (independent deputy)

27. Anna Natsvlishvili - member of the Parliament of Georgia (political party "Try for Georgia")

28. Koba Phlutiya - member of the Parliament of Georgia (parliamentary faction "United National Movement" - united opposition "Strength is in unity")

29. Ramaz Nikolaishvili - Member of the Parliament of Georgia (parliamentary faction "United National Movement" - united opposition "strength is in unity")

30. Kakhaber Okriashvili - Member of the Parliament of Georgia (parliamentary faction "United National Movement" - united opposition "strength is in unity")

31. Salome Samadashvili - Member of the Parliament of Georgia (Political Party "Try for Georgia")

Part 2

Bidzina Ivanishvili's letter published on July 27, 2022, in which she confirms their meeting on March 21, 2022 at the initiative of the US ambassador, Ms. Kelly Degnan, but does not say anything about the content of the conversation during this meeting, covertly reinforces the above-mentioned message of "Georgian Dream" as if to the West He wants to drag Georgia into the war. This indicates Bidzina Ivanishvili's connection with this anti-state campaign of "Georgian Dream".

Such an action of the ruling political force serves the purpose of hindering the integration of Georgia into the European Union and NATO, while ensuring such integration, according to Article 78 of the Constitution of Georgia, is the responsibility of the constitutional bodies of Georgia and i.e. It is an obligation of the "Georgian Dream" government. Such an action of the ruling power is against the national and state interests of Georgia. It is aimed at separating Georgia from its Western allies and partners and leaving it alone in the face of the occupying state, which is only in the interests of this occupying state - the Russian Federation. Despite the above-mentioned ambassadors, many public announcement,

We appeal to "Georgian Dream" to immediately stop the aforementioned slanderous and disinformation campaign against Georgia's strategic partners - the United States and the European Union.

We fully support the US Ambassador to Georgia, Ms. Kelly Degnan, and the former EU Ambassador, Mr. Carl Hartzel. We appreciate the hard work and efforts made by them to help Georgia on the path of Western integration", - it is mentioned in the statement.

The statement is signed by:

1. Armaz Akhvlediani - member of the Parliament of Georgia (independent deputy)

2. Teona Akubardia - member of the Parliament of Georgia (political party "Strategy Agmashenebeli")

3. Davit Bakradze - member of the Parliament of Georgia (independent deputy)

4. Anna Buchukuri - Member of the Parliament of Georgia (political party "For Georgia")

5. Levan Bezhashvili - Member of the Parliament of Georgia (parliamentary faction "United National Movement" - united opposition "strength is in unity")

6. Tinatin Bokuchava - member of the Parliament of Georgia (parliamentary faction "United National Movement" - united opposition "Strength is in unity")

7. Giorgi Botkoveli - member of the Parliament of Georgia (parliamentary faction "United National Movement" - united opposition "strength is in unity")

8. Giorgi Godabrelidze - Member of the Parliament of Georgia (parliamentary faction "United National Movement" - united opposition "Strength is in unity")

9. Roman Gotsiridze - Member of the Parliament of Georgia (parliamentary faction "United National Movement" - united opposition "Strength is in unity")

10. Mikheil Daushvili - Member of the Parliament of Georgia (political party "For Georgia")

48 MP's Want GD to Stop Campaign Against the US and EU

04.08.2022 / 11:25AA
48 opposition MPs appeal to "Georgian Dream" with a joint statement to "immediately stop the slanderous and disinformation campaign" against the USA and the European Union.
48 opposition MPs appeal to "Georgian Dream" with a joint statement to "immediately stop the slanderous and disinformation campaign" against the USA and the European Union.
twitter

The representatives of the parliamentary opposition of Georgia issued a joint statement, where it is mentioned that they separate and condemn the slanderous and disinformation campaign of the "Georgian Dream" government on the path of Western integration against the main strategic partners of Georgia - the United States of America and the European Union.

The representatives of the opposition appeal to "Georgian Dream" to immediately stop the aforementioned slanderous and disinformation campaign against the strategic partners of Georgia - the United States and the European Union.

"We, the representatives of the Georgian parliamentary opposition

We recognize the great merit of the United States of America and the European Union in maintaining Georgia's statehood from the restoration of independence on April 9, 1991 until today, their great help in the development of our country and the aspiration of our people to become a full-fledged representative of Western civilization; We echo the strongly expressed will of the Georgian people to ensure the full integration of Georgia into the European Union and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, which was reflected in the Constitution of Georgia; We separate and condemn the slanderous and disinformation campaign of the "Georgian Dream" government against the main strategic partners of Georgia - the United States of America and the European Union.

This was especially clearly highlighted in the slanderous actions of the highest party and state political officials of the "Georgian Dream", as well as members of the Georgian Parliament and local self-government bodies who formally left the "Georgian Dream" but actually remained an organic part of this political force, against the ambassadors of the United States and the European Union in Georgia. In the attacks - as if they were trying to involve Georgia in the war against Russia, and since they did not achieve this goal, as if they did not contribute to granting Georgia the status of a candidate country for European Union membership.

It is particularly alarming that certain representatives of the judicial corps are also involved in this political campaign of "Georgian Dream".

Giorgi Gakharia: We were Told We Were Capable of Nothing – It’s All a Lie and Ukraine is a Great Example of This
by EREKLE POLADISHVILI March 10, 2022 in Highlights, News, Politics, Recommended, Uncategorized Reading Time: 1min read
Giorgi Gakharia: We were Told We Were Capable of Nothing – It’s All a Lie and Ukraine is a Great Example of This
Giorgi Gakharia: I’m inspired by how Ukraine is acting. I’d say that I’m sure that truly strong and successful states are born in great danger like this. In the past few years, we were regularly told that we were no one, we were capable of nothing, that we are a small nation and therefore we have to keep silent to endure these troubles. Because we are the objects of politics, and will never be the subjects – That’s all a lie.

Today, Ukraine is a great example of that. The only way to be the same is to unite, to establish our values. We have to realize that this fight of fathers is to let children never again face war or spill blood. This fight is to let them live in a stable, democratic country and I think, we all have to do our best to take a small part in this great victory.

Ex-prime minister and chairman of the party “For Georgia” – Giorgi Gakharia on Formula TV.

https://georgiatoday.ge/giorgi-gakharias-comment/

Part 3

With 80% of Russian forces being deployed in Ukraine, which neighbor might be tempted to exploit the situation?
It’s an issue of cost-benefit analysis. China would benefit most, but also Japan. Japan has been trying to get the Kuril Islands back for decades, and now we’re reading that some of the submachines and artillery battalions from Kuril that Russia redeployed were killed in Ukraine. Kuril is a disputed territory, there was no peace agreement, so if the Japanese land there, they won’t violate any international law.

China is another issue – can they afford it? For American observers, wouldn’t it better if China showed some interest in Siberia rather than Taiwan? There is much more to gain in Siberia. If there is a new Henry Kissinger sitting somewhere in the depths of the State Department, if they really wanted to do something new, original and creative, they’d strike a deal with Russia – go to Siberia, leave Taiwan. But maybe there are no such people in the State Department.

What would it mean for Georgia and its two Russian-controlled enclaves?
Georgia would have to see how to use this new configuration to its benefits. They would probably be interested in new border concepts with the new neighbors. As for Abkhazia and Ossetia, clearly Russia has more important things to do, seeing as more than 80% of the troops they had there have gone to Ukraine. Ossetia and Abkhazia will feel the heat once things start happening, and they would have to decide, unable to rely on the military power they are used to. The people of those two “republics” will also have their say, with not that much to fear.

Interview by Vazha Tavberidze

https://georgiatoday.ge/prof-alexander-etkind-on-russian-defederalization-and-the-expected-outcomes/

Part 2

Do you expect this defederalization to happen peacefully?
No. The mammoth Soviet Union dismembered itself peacefully, there was not much blood on the streets, but then came war in Chechnya, followed by war in Georgia, and then the war in Ukraine. The violence was delayed, but it happened nevertheless. When it comes to Russia, the best scenario for the dismemberment process is if it follows the established administrative borders and structures. The existing administrations have only rudimentary powers, because they have been curtailed by Putin’s government over decades. They may take power and start negotiating amongst themselves, but, of course, these borders would not satisfy everyone, as they were drawn by Soviet officials.

And Russia will do everything to prevent this development, allowing it only when it is unable not to. But 85% of all the Russian troops are deployed in Ukraine, and they came there from Siberia, Sakhalin, Ossetia, from the Chinese border, where they were stationed for a purpose: the disputed Chinese border has had to be patrolled since the times of the Russian Empire. If something happens, Russia will have either to stop the hostilities in Ukraine and send the troops back, or have no troops available at all. Of course, there is always the nuclear option, although, as Russia hasn’t used them in this major, existential war on the territory of Ukraine, people in all those federal subjects, on the territory of the Russian federation, will have good reason to believe that they won’t be used against them either.

The Russian federation has over 20 federal subjects. Who would you expect to leave if defederalization really happened?
The ethnic republics, especially those with borders with foreign countries. They will have better chances of survival than those who are landlocked within Russia. Sea routes, river routes will also help. Foreign borders, transportation, natural resources, goods to trade with. And, of course, having coherent ethnicity will be a major determinate. In Tatarstan, for example, there are fewer Tatars, because they started viewing themselves as Russians. Identity is changing. Religion will play a role – Islam is blooming. Language issues are critical.

What would happen with Russia’s nuclear arsenal?
That will be a major concern for everyone, despite the treaties of non-proliferation. We know from the Budapest Memorandum that the Ukrainian case has given a very bad example of how it should not work. One scenario will reproduce 1991, where all the missiles and nuclear pride would stay with Moscow, and everyone would sign whatever was necessary and it would be Budapest 2.0. There could be other scenarios, but to talk about them now would be pure speculation.

Defederalization of Russia

Prof. Alexander Etkind on Russian Defederalization and the Expected Outcomes
by GEORGIA TODAY August 4, 2022 in Editor's Pick, Newspaper, Politics Reading Time: 4min read
Professor Alexander Etkind
Professor Alexander Etkind
I predict Russia’s defederalization. It’s going to happen, but I can’t predict when. It could happen in a year, or decades from now, – Prof. Alexander Etkind, Russian historian and cultural scientist, Professor of History and the Chair of Russia-Europe Relations at the European University Institute, tells Radio Free Europe. “The key issue is the political economy of oil. All that comes from Siberia goes to Moscow, and Moscow redistributes it. When and if Moscow can’t do it, they will not have these billions. Then people in Chuvashia will be surprised, and people in Chechnya will be protesting, as this is their bread and butter and weapons. And if they don’t have it, they will have to find some other source of existence. It will change things for everyone. Whoever has a river, whoever has access to the sea, railway; whoever has national resources or manufactured goods, or educational facilities to attract foreign students, they will try to get by with that.

“The trigger for this defederalization is the war, which has triggered a chain of events which almost unavoidably leads to the collapse of the Russian Federation. The most important people in this development are the locals, the native peoples of Tatarstan or Bashkortostan, Siberia, northern Russia. They have not been listened to for a very long time, because they had no relevance. Some of them are almost extinct, like the Khanty-Mansy, but some of them are numerous and prolific like the Tatars.”

You claim this disintegration could have been avoided by simply not starting the war. Why was that such a fatal mistake?
There are people who believe that if Russia wins, everything will go back to the status quo of February 23, back to “business as usual”. The “rational elite” hope the damage will be undone and the trade partners will come back to the table, and everything will be fine. There will be losses, but acceptable losses. But even if Russia wins, and I don’t believe it can possibly happen, it will take at least three generations, some 50 years, to create some kind of civil peace with Ukraine. Though technically the sanctions could be stopped or reversed, they will be connected to the reparations of Ukraine. And then of course, there is the tribunal of war crimes, of genocide. It will have material consequences, but people cannot be resurrected; someone who is has been raped cannot be unraped.

Adam Kinzinger Requests HIMARS Be Sent to Georgia
by GEORGIA TODAY August 1, 2022 in Highlights, International, Politics Reading Time: 1min read
Adam Kinzinger Requests HIMARS Be Sent to Georgia
Congressman Adam Kinzinger has requested the transfer of the HIMARS high mobility artillery missile system to Georgia.

The congressman believes that after Russia is humiliated in Ukraine, it may open fire on the territories it occupies.

“Russia occupies 1/3 of the country of Georgia. The Georgian Legion is defending Ukraine…. It seems that after Russia gets humiliated in Ukraine, maybe there will be a fire sale on Russian occupied lands. HIMARS to Georgia!” he wrote.

https://georgiatoday.ge/adam-kinzinger-demands-himars-to-be-transferred-to-georgia/

Kinzinger: We Have No Desire to Involve Georgia in the War, That’s Utterly False
by GEORGIA TODAY August 2, 2022 in Highlights, Politics Reading Time: 1min read
Kinzinger: We Have No Desire to Involve Georgia in the War, That’s Utterly False
We have NO desire to involve Georgia in the war, American Congressman Adam Kinzinger wrote on his Twitter page.

The congressman says the US is trying to end the fighting in Ukraine without Ukraine losing a single inch.

“Regarding the misinformation in the Nation of Georgia, we want to be clear: the US seeks to end the fighting in Ukraine without Ukraine losing a single inch. We have NO desire to involve Georgia in the war. That is utterly false”, he tweeted.

https://georgiatoday.ge/kinzinger-we-have-no-desire-to-involve-georgia-in-the-war-thats-utterly-false/

Part 2

The MPs provide arguments as to why the narrative that America wants to involve Georgia in a war with Russia is disinformation, noting that the US is the main strategic partner of Georgia, which plays the main role in pursuing the policy of non-recognition of the territories occupied by Russia and, accordingly, ensuring territorial integrity and sovereignty, as well as promoting the development of the country’s democracy and prosperity, and supporting NATO membership.

The MPs call on their colleagues in the Parliament to act in accordance with the declared national security interests of the country. They also call on the Government of Georgia to respond in a timely and adequate manner to “the disinformation campaign, which is aimed at strengthening anti-Western sentiments, is directed against Western values ??and weakens the sovereignty and territorial integrity of our country”.

Related Story: Kelly Degnan: Any Attempt to Distance Georgia from Its Natural Allies Only Serves Narrow Interests and Not Interests of Georgian People

https://georgiatoday.ge/several-mps-issue-joint-statement-responding-to-organized-attack-against-us-ambassador/