Georgian expert on Russian military exercises: Russia needn’t deploy troops in Georgia

Russia does not need to deploy troops in Georgia to achieve its political goals, political analyst Nika Chitadze has told Front News commenting on Russia’s military exercises at Georgian occupied territories. 

Chitadze says that Russia poses no threats to Anaklia as well, a strategically important coastal city near de facto Abkhazia.

He says that Russia realizes that Georgia is becoming economically dependent on them. 

“Trade and economic turnover with Russia has already exceeded one billion USD, so Russia has some leverage to exercise pressure on Georgia. Russia thinks that Georgia has a government which is acceptable for them,” Chitadzed says. 

“The main threat (for state interests) are the current authorities which are loyal to Russia,” Chitadze noted.

Georgia restored trade and economic relations with Russia back in 2013, shortly after the Georgian Dream government took office. 

Diplomatic relations between the two countries remain suspended following the Russia-Georgia 2008 war.