Salome Zourabichvili: My message to European partners is not to downplay what Russia is testing in Georgia—namely, hybrid warfare—where a scenario that once seemed impossible is suddenly becoming a reality
My message to European partners is not to downplay what Russia is testing in Georgia—namely, hybrid warfare—where a scenario that once seemed impossible is suddenly becoming a reality due to massive propaganda, social media, and artificial intelligence. Georgia's fifth president, Salome Zourabichvili, made these remarks during a panel discussion at the Warsaw Security Forum.
She noted that, despite Georgia's extensive experience with Russian propaganda and its ability to distinguish propaganda from reality, alarming statements are still being heard—such as the claim that Russia protected Georgia from the outside world through the Treaty of Georgievsk.
“We have seventy years of experience dealing with Russian propaganda. We know how to distinguish propaganda from reality and truth. However, I am quite astonished by the fact that propaganda still holds some sway. I do not wish to overstate this influence, yet it is undeniably present. What has struck me most—representing the latest phase of this propaganda—is the alteration of the historical narrative; we hear claims in Georgia that Russia saved us from the rest of the world through the Treaty of Georgievsk—the very instrument that enabled the Russian Empire to abolish the Georgian state, monarchy, and church. The fact that some people repeat this is just as alarming as learning that there may be groups in Germany—I hesitate to call them parties—arguing that two states are better than one.
A narrative that previously seemed impossible—even in countries with direct experience of such things—is suddenly becoming a reality due to massive propaganda, social media, artificial intelligence, the dissemination of vast amounts of propaganda via television, and the scarcity or virtual absence of free, opposition-aligned media. This is particularly concerning in rural areas, among a population less open to outside information. My message to European partners is not to underestimate what Russia is testing in Georgia: it is hybrid warfare," stated Salome Zourabichvili.
When asked what might happen in Georgia—where it appears neither the government is yielding nor the demonstrators are achieving their goal—Zourabichvili replied: "I believe the answer lies, in part, in Ukraine's victory."
"We see this very clearly in Georgia: whenever the regime—and, incidentally, that word is no longer 'authorized' in Georgia—senses weakness from Moscow, it begins to tremble; instability then spills over into Georgia, because their presence here exists unequivocally because of and thanks to Russia. In fact, their consolidation as an anti-European force—representing a complete 180-degree turn—dates back to the summer of 2021, the very time Russia was preparing to invade Ukraine. It is very interesting to observe this parallel. There is the question of what will happen in Ukraine, and then there is the decision facing our Western partners—the decision that Russia must not be preserved in its current form. It is very difficult to envision a democratic Russia that still spans one-seventh of the world's landmass. These concepts are incompatible; history teaches us that one cannot be both a democracy and an empire at the same time. We must not fear a Russian defeat; that is the most important thing.
