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| Vladimir Putin riding with e Night Wolves during his election campaign |
The Night Wolves are closely associated with Putin. They were early participants in the occupation of Crimea and fighting in eastern Ukraine, where they carried the standard for Russian nationalism. The purpose of Mr. Luzhkov’s visit is not clear but was described as a personal visit. However, similar informal visits of this kind by Russian officials and prominent individuals also accompanied the occupation of Crimea and eastern Ukraine. If Mr. Rukhadze is feeling nervous, he has every reason to be. Provocations in Georgia have a familiar ring. Lack of a resolute response by the government of Georgia will likely open the door to further provocations.
As a former constituent state of the Soviet Union, Georgia is strategically important.
Russia’s 2018 presidential election is rapidly approaching, and Putin needs something to excite flagging support among the Russian people whose enthusiasm for the seizure of Crimea and Russian-led satellite statelets in eastern Ukraine is waning due to the economic and social costs. Ukraine is now clearly a major headache and opportunities to generate heightened patriotic fervour through tensions in the Baltics could be costly due to a re-invigorated NATO. Even tiny
Even tiny
Montenegro in Central Europe was not so easily destabilised last year when Russian and Serbian citizens believed to be directed by Moscow failed to carry off an attempted coup.
Putin may believe, as he searches for a casus belli that Georgia is the perfect opportunity. International condemnation of Russia’s invasion of Georgia in 2008 was a slap on the wrist, and Putin may believe that he can pull it off again since he has very little to lose.
And the prize is worth the taking. As a former constituent state of the Soviet Union, Georgia is strategically important. Control of Georgia would extend Russian authority south over more of the Black Sea coast. It borders on Turkey and, together with a pro-Moscow leaning Armenia, is the most direct transport corridor with Iran—countries Russia has prioritised for improved relations. Georgia also sits astride major east-west oil and gas transport routes. It even offers greater control of the Caucasus region by allowing Moscow to effectively encircle the Muslim oblasts in the North Caucasus.
Russia already controls two puppet states on occupied Georgian territory
Recent provocations in the Russian-controlled Abakhazia and South Ossetia enclaves themselves suggest a tightening of Moscow’s screws on Georgia, including the
recent announcement of the creation of joint Abakhazia-Russian military units and the planned merger of law enforcement bodies, as well as rumors that Russia may seek to absorb the enclaves as it did with Crimea.
Recent Russian provocations in Georgia are tangible reminders that Moscow has not given up its interest in the region. Provocations there and elsewhere suggest that Russia remains active and capable of surprising acts of covert and overt aggression.
Twitter post by Russia’s Sputnik. Russian misinformation often accuses others of conduct Russia itself engages in.
If Russian provocations in Georgia continue or escalate over the next few months, if Russian media escalates its criticisms and attacks on Georgia’s government or its interests—such as this from
Sputnik—and, if Russia’s designs on the two enclaves advances toward absorbing them into the Russian Federation, then it is prudent to ask
how far Putin might go, which will depend on his assessment of how vulnerable Georgia is, how the West might respond, and on how desperate Putin is to achieve an overwhelming electoral victory next year.
So far, Putin has not found his opportunity. It may be too early yet. The 2018 election is still months off. In the meantime, Georgia needs to be alert and counter Russian misinformation when it occurs. The recent
agreement between Georgia and the US on intelligence sharing is a useful step to counter Russian misinformation, which is the first step in any escalation by Russia. Also, useful is the draft US 2017 federal budget that proposes “not less than $100m” to counter Russian influence and aggression in Europe, Eurasia and Central Asia, including Georgia, through support for rule of law, media, cyber, and other programs as well as support for internet freedom in the Russian Federation.
In order not to allow Russia to benefit from aggression, Georgia needs sustained diplomatic, financial and civil society support. Mr. Rukhadze has it right. Without Georgia’s steadfastness, and without international support, Georgia risks becoming a Russian satellite.
Euromaidan Press
