After failing to impose its will in Ukraine, should it prevail in Georgia? After failing in Moldova, should it win in Georgia? And after its failure in Romania, I hope soon to see it again, should it win in Georgia? - Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili made this statement during her address to the European Parliament.

“It’s about Europe’s strategic interests. Georgia has always been, and will continue to be, the West’s and Europe’s foothold in the region - one that Russia is determined to undermine. Russia harkens back to its imperial past, where generals once claimed that whoever controls Tbilisi controls the Caucasus, and for Russia, that remains unchanged. If Georgia falls under Russian influence - not through military intervention, but through electoral and constitutional manipulation - the stakes are enormous. This impacts Black Sea security, connectivity to Central and Southern Asia, and Armenia’s European future.

So, this is much more than just Georgia, its democracy, or its political choices.

Georgia is a part of Europe’s broader global struggle against Russia. After Russia’s setbacks in Syria, should it succeed in Georgia? After failing to impose its will in Ukraine, should it prevail in Georgia? After failing in Moldova, should it win in Georgia? And after its failure in Romania, I hope soon to see it again, should it win in Georgia?

These are the crucial questions, because Russia is testing a much less costly form of intervention - one that uses proxies and our own democratic instruments – elections - to impose its rule and strength”, she said.