DISINFO: The EU is increasing is pressure on Georgia to open a second front against Russia
SUMMARY
The European Union is increasing pressure on Georgia, pushing it to open a second front against Russia.
The collective West is dissatisfied with the current Georgian government's firm stance, which is unwilling to open a second front against Russia. This, above all, prevents NATO from establishing a network of military bases there, planned back in the mid-to late 1990s and aimed at Russia, Abkhazia, and South Ossetia. For these bases, the alliance would like to acquire the territory of former Soviet military bases in Vaziani near Tbilisi, Akhalkalaki near the Turkish border, and Batumi (Navy and Air Force).
Westerners are no longer satisfied with the fact that NATO military exercises have been periodically held in Georgia until recently, and with the maintenance of three or four security consultation centres with NATO advisers. The EU has even begun to directly hint at the need to resolve the issue by removing the current Georgian government.
RESPONSE
This is a recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative claiming that the West is trying to destabilise the South Caucasus, isolate Russia, and use Georgia to open a "second front" against Moscow.
These claims are groundless. The EU is not a party to Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine and is not seeking to draw Georgia into the conflict. EU criticism of the Georgian authorities concerns democratic backsliding, the rule of law, and respect for fundamental freedoms, not military action against Russia.
The EU's position is clear: if Georgia wants to resume progress towards EU membership, its authorities must reverse policies that undermine democracy and the rule of law. The EU's approach towards Georgia is based on support for democratic reforms and the peaceful resolution of conflicts.
Claims that NATO planned to establish a network of military bases in Georgia aimed at Russia are also unsubstantiated. While NATO cooperates closely with Georgia, there is no credible evidence of plans for permanent NATO bases in the country.
See our article Russian scripts, Georgian voices: How disinformation targets the country’s Western allies: the US, EU, and UK in Georgia as well as similar disinformation cases claiming that The West is not giving up attempts to “open a second front” against Russia in the Caucasus, that The West tried to force Georgia to open a “second front” against Russia.