Georgia Seeks Help Against Russia: Financial Times

Before its 2014 takeover of Crimea in Ukraine, Russia intervened in Georgia, and that interference continues today. Russia is increasing influence around Black Sea area with a series of military actions and investments, pushing Georgia to seek urgent support from Western countries. Since Russia occupied about 20 percent of its territory in 2008, Georgia has lived in the shadows. Recently, the West accused Russia’s intelligence agency GRU of a cyberattack against Georgia’s government and media outlets in October. Moscow also deployed more missiles and radar, posing a threat on regional security. According to Georgia’s Foreign Minister David Zalkaliani, EU and other western partners do not appreciate the strategic importance of the Black Sea area and he urges more attention and support for Georgia in terms of political, military and socio-economic dimensions. Those economic investments, especially in undersea electricity and fiber-optic cables, could benefit Europe by shortening Eurasian trade routes. Several days ago, Georgia, Ukraine, and Moldova wrote to the European Commission to emphasize recent reforms. – YaleGlobal