What is the reason for the current tension in relations between Russia and Georgia? Let us figure it out!
Georgia is not afraid of the "aggressor": it does not kill foreigners on its land, does not torture, beat or kill. Russia, as an "aggressor", on the contrary, provides a residence permit, gives the opportunity to work. Citizens of Georgia who are in Russia have freedom of speech with regard to the "occupation" of Georgia, Georgian journalists work freely, and the growth of economic ties can be clearly seen.
However, Russia is still an "aggressor" for politicians and most of the politically active public of Georgia living in the country. Despite the fact that this "occupier" exports more Georgian products than the main strategic partners, Turkey and Azerbaijan, do. Despite the fact that a third of all money transfers to Georgia come from Russia.
The basis for this anti-Russian position is the fact that Russia, according to the official elite of the country, "took away" Georgian lands ten years ago. She recognized the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia after Saakashvili in 2008 decided to force there to establish his "state order" and "return them to the jurisdiction of Georgia."
Georgia remembers the joyful media reports on the success of the troops and taking control of the next village. The joy lasted until Russian troops arrived in Tskhinvali. Then the reports about "aggression" of Russia began. Now the information is put upside down and claim that Russia was the first to enter South Ossetia, forgetting about all those statements in the media, as if they were not there.
The roots of the confrontation of Georgian-Russian relations are still in the 90s, when the West set the main task of destroying the USSR, which was successfully accomplished.
In addition, after its disintegration, the only truly strong and uncontrolled state, Russia, remained. In order to take her kind of control, a variety of means are used, ranging from the scandal with "the poisoning of Skripal" and ending with sophisticated attacks on Russia from her former allies.
Nevertheless, the Russian Federation closes its eyes on such provocations and continues to calmly host representatives of those countries that call Russia "enemy." Russian policy is based on the assumption that Georgia does so not on its own will, but because of the influence of "partners" on it, which determine the direction of its domestic and foreign policy, its actions and statements of leaders, the tone of statements.
In addition, ordinary citizens of Georgia are still leaving for Russia"--"-in search of work and better living conditions. True, with less activity and frequency than in the first years after Georgia gained independence, but still leave. And this has been going on for 25 years.