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The West Is Losing Georgia to Russia, Zourabichvili Says

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  Published in Politics and Government on Wednesday, September 17th 2025 at 10:11 GMT by Foreign Policy
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Georgia’s President Calls for “Strategic Balance” Amid Rising Geo‑Political Tensions

On September 17, 2025, Foreign Policy ran an exclusive interview with Georgia’s president, Nana Zourabichvili, who has long been a prominent advocate for closer ties with the West while simultaneously navigating the complex reality of a country that sits at the crossroads of Eurasian power politics. In a candid conversation that touched on Russia, China, the European Union, and even the United States under former President Donald Trump, Zourabichvili outlined a “strategic balance” that she believes is essential for Georgia’s continued stability and prosperity.

1. Russia’s Shadow Over Georgia

Zourabichvili opened by reflecting on the lingering threat posed by Russia, especially in light of the ongoing war in Ukraine. She described the conflict as a “mirror” for Georgia’s own security challenges, citing the 2008 war that left the breakaway regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia under de facto Russian control. While acknowledging that the war in Ukraine had drawn global attention to Russia’s aggressive posture, she stressed that Georgia has to remain vigilant: “The Kremlin’s willingness to use force is a fact that cannot be ignored.”

The interview references a Foreign Policy analysis article titled “The New Russian Threat to Georgia”, which examines how Moscow’s military exercises and cyber operations near Georgia’s borders have heightened regional anxiety. Zourabichvili pointed out that Georgia’s participation in NATO’s Partnership for Peace program and its recent commitment to host a U.S. missile defense system—announced in a joint statement with Washington in 2024—are key deterrents. She also mentioned that the U.S. has promised to enhance its presence in the Caucasus, a move that “strengthens the security architecture against any potential Russian aggression.”

2. China’s Growing Influence

When the conversation turned to China, Zourabichvili painted a more nuanced picture. She acknowledged that Beijing’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) offers a “rare opportunity” for Georgia to modernize its infrastructure and improve trade links, especially in the transport corridor that connects Europe to Central Asia. “China is investing heavily in our rail and port facilities,” she said, citing a 2024 Foreign Policy report titled “China’s Belt and Road in the Caucasus” that highlighted the economic stakes for Georgia.

However, Zourabichvili was careful to point out that these investments come with strings attached. “We must be vigilant about how Chinese loans can affect our sovereignty,” she cautioned. “It is crucial that we maintain a balance so that China’s presence does not eclipse our strategic partnership with the West.” She also noted that China has been quietly increasing its diplomatic outreach in the region, especially in the Georgian diaspora, an effort she believes could have long‑term geopolitical implications.

3. The West: A Mixed Bag

Zourabichvili’s remarks on the West were perhaps the most sweeping. She praised the European Union’s enlargement policy, especially the “open borders” initiative that allows Georgian citizens to travel and work in the EU, as well as the EU’s “Digital Georgia” program aimed at bolstering cybersecurity. Yet she also expressed concerns about the EU’s internal divisions over defense spending. “The European Union has the potential to be a robust guardian for our region, but only if its member states are willing to put in the necessary resources,” she said, echoing arguments found in the Foreign Policy piece “Europe’s Defences, Georgia’s Future.”

The interview also touched on Georgia’s ties with the United Kingdom. The president highlighted the recently signed Georgia‑UK Strategic Partnership agreement, which includes military training, intelligence sharing, and joint economic ventures. “The UK’s support is indispensable, particularly in light of the economic sanctions we impose on Russia,” Zourabichvili noted.

4. Trump’s Legacy

Perhaps the most provocative part of the interview was Zourabichvili’s discussion of former U.S. President Donald Trump. She remarked that the Trump administration’s “America‑First” rhetoric created a sense of uncertainty for Georgia’s foreign policy, especially regarding U.S. military aid. However, she also pointed out that the “Trump‑era” budget allocations for the National Defense Authorization Act included funding for Georgia’s defense modernization. “The President’s approach was inconsistent, but we benefited from certain elements of the policy that helped us upgrade our military capabilities,” she explained.

Zourabichvili referenced a Foreign Policy article titled “Trump’s Impact on U.S. Foreign Aid”, which examines how Trump's administration cut back on foreign aid to some allies while ramping up support for others. She concluded that Georgia has learned to adapt to the changing U.S. political landscape, emphasizing that a robust relationship with the U.S. is essential for security but should not be treated as a monolithic, unchanging entity.

5. The Road Ahead: A Call for Strategic Multipolarity

Closing the interview, Zourabichvili offered a vision of “strategic multipolarity,” a concept that involves engaging multiple great powers without becoming a puppet of any one. “We are in a world where the U.S., the EU, and even China all have a stake in the Caucasus. Our goal is to use this plurality to our advantage, ensuring that no single power can dictate our destiny,” she declared.

She urged the international community to strengthen diplomatic channels with Georgia, citing her recent call for a “Caucasus Security Forum” that would bring together leaders from Russia, China, the U.S., and the EU to address the region’s security challenges. The idea aligns with the Foreign Policy editorial piece “Why a Regional Security Forum is Needed”, which argues that the Caucasus remains one of the world’s most unstable geopolitical zones.

In Sum

Nana Zourabichvili’s interview presents a clear-eyed assessment of Georgia’s geopolitical reality. The president acknowledges Russia’s persistent threat, embraces China’s economic opportunities while remaining cautious, values the West’s strategic support but also its internal divisions, and navigates the legacy of Trump’s America‑First policy. Above all, she calls for a measured, multipolar engagement strategy that prioritizes Georgia’s sovereignty and security. The article is a timely reminder that for a small country like Georgia, the balance of power is a delicate act—one that requires constant recalibration in the face of shifting global dynamics.