Read on Twitter
How do Ukraine’s 🇺🇦 and Georgia's 🇬🇪 fights for freedom compare to each other?
UkraineWorld spoke to Bakur Kvashilava, Dean of the School of Law and Politics and Professor of International Relations and Comparative Politics.
Key points – in our brief, #UkraineWorldAnalysis 1/11
UkraineWorld spoke to Bakur Kvashilava, Dean of the School of Law and Politics and Professor of International Relations and Comparative Politics.
Key points – in our brief, #UkraineWorldAnalysis 1/11
There are similarities and differences between #Georgian Abkhazia and South Ossetia in 2008 and Ukrainian #Donbas and #Crimea in 2014. 2/11
The similarities are that #Russia was the main driving force for the separatist aspirations of these regions. Russia was instrumental in making these entities successful on the ground and expelling legitimate state authorities from the territories in question. 3/11
The differences lie in the histories of these conflicts – Georgia had troubles in South Ossetia and Abkhazia starting during the breakup of the USSR, while for Ukraine, even though there were political squabbles in Donbas and Crimea, they never escalated into armed violence. 4/11
In addition, while Russian forces were open in their attack upon #Georgia in 2008, Russia attempted to deny the involvement of its troops in 2014 (though they eventually reversed their earlier lies about not being involved in Crimea). 5/11
Russia won the information war during the first few days of the attack on Georgia, depicting the Georgian government as intent on resolving the conflict in South Ossetia by force. They also claimed totally bogus atrocities committed by Georgian troops. 6/11
Even though it was Russian troops who were found to have committed atrocities by international courts later on, the allegations sowed doubts in Georgia’s Western allies. 7/11
Moreover, many in the #West thought that Russia’s aggression against Georgia was a one-off event, and many in #Europe were eager to put the issue of Georgian integration into NATO on the shelf, hoping to ensure a friendlier Russia in a global standoff with #China. 8/11
Recent polls also show that even among supporters of Georgia Dream, a sizeable majority support #Ukraine. 9/11
However, the government has been very skillful in demonstrating to its supporters that while they support Ukraine, Georgia cannot be dragged into the war, which would aid Ukraine very little but could help Russia considerably. 10/11
Ukraine has become a symbol of successful resistance against Russians and a true Georgian dream, but which is at the same time aligned with their political opponents. This is a deadly combination for Georgian Dream. 11/11
• • •
Missing some Tweet in this thread? You can try to
force a refresh
