Can Georgia escape Russian influence to join the European Union?
The geopolitical trajectory of Georgia
Georgia currently finds itself at a defining geopolitical crossroads. The population unequivocally expresses its attraction to the European Union, manifested by the omnipresence of the star-spangled flag on numerous official buildings and in the busy streets of the capital. The European symbol has appropriated public space to the point of becoming an almost native element of the urban panorama. Despite this clearly stated aspiration, the country has not yet taken the step towards full membership of the EU.
The Aspiration of Georgian Youth
Within the faded walls housing the premises of student groups like the Step movement, the desire to belong to Europe is palpable. Young Georgians erect formal declarations on walls, affirming their commitment to European integration. The determination of this generation, raised in the shadow of the Soviet heritage but cradled by democratic principles, seems unshakeable; surveys also highlight that around 80% of Georgian citizens share this feeling.
Zurab Zhvania, former President of Parliament, made his mark in 1999 by explicitly assimilating his Georgian identity to a European dimension, symbolizing this thirst for Europeanness which drives Georgia.
Proximity to Moscow: Obstacle or Diplomatic Strategy?
Despite these citizen aspirations, the country’s leaders maintain a certain proximity with Russia. This trend contrasts sharply with popular wish and raises the question of whether this policy is an insurmountable obstacle or a strategic maneuver in the complex geopolitical context of the region.
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The prospect of EU membership: Reality or Utopia?
Considering the issues and the current political dynamics, the outcome of Georgia’s European aspiration remains uncertain. Civil society, particularly the younger generation, is resolutely in a process of attraction towards the EU, while leaders express an ambivalent position. Georgia thus finds itself caught between its desire for a European anchor and the geostrategic constraints which could influence its path towards European integration.