Matthew Bryza: “Georgia is in a crisis; it is no longer a European country - It is becoming less and less interesting to Europe and the United States, shifting toward Russia’s orbit—Georgia is in a downward spiral”
“Georgia is in a crisis; it is no longer a European country. It is becoming less and less interesting to Europe and the United States, shifting to Russia’s orbit—Georgia is in a downward spiral,” said Matthew Bryza, a former senior U.S. State Department official, in an interview with Independence Avenue Media.
According to him, Georgia is no longer considered a member of the European family.
“As for Georgia, it is in a crisis. Georgia is no longer what it used to be. It is no longer a European country moving toward membership in the transatlantic community. It is stuck, and this is happening, of course, with Russia’s intent and with significant help from some people in Tbilisi. Georgia is already an integral part of the South Caucasus and the Middle Corridor. However, it is becoming less and less interesting to Europe and the United States. It is not on the path to EU association. It is no longer considered a normal member of the transatlantic family or even the European family. Its government has announced that it will halt these association efforts.
The European Union has imposed sanctions and clearly stated that it does not consider Georgia’s current government friendly. I think the Georgian government feels the same way. There is also a high chance that Georgian citizens will lose their right to visa-free travel in the EU. Thus, Georgia is completely disconnected from the European geopolitical game and has shifted entirely to Russia’s orbit.
When Georgia’s leaders say ridiculous things like ‘Americans and Europeans are trying to open a new front and drag Georgia into war,’ it is such an obvious lie and an element of anti-Western propaganda that it shows the government is Moscow’s puppet. No one wants to deal with such a government. It is not trusted. Who will invest in Georgia under these circumstances? No one. No one.
Georgia is in a downward spiral. This is a country I love dearly. It’s hard for me to say this, but much of what Georgians have achieved is being shattered. Rebuilding it is very difficult; destroying it is very easy,” stated Matthew Bryza.
