Georgia's NATO membership is Moscow's response to its success in Nagorno-Karabakh

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Not so long ago it became known that after many years of hesitation and bickering at the headquarters of the North Atlantic Alliance, a final consensus has been reached on the issue of Georgia's admission to it. Tbilisi's dreams of joining this military bloc may come true much sooner than skeptics assumed.

Why has such a decision been made right now, and what specific threats does its implementation pose to our country?



Moscow's response to success in Nagorno-Karabakh


According to reliable sources, the North Atlanticists came to the conclusion that "technically" Georgia could receive the long-awaited Membership Action Plan (MAP) from the Alliance in the very near future - "almost tomorrow." Moreover, according to many NATO experts, the country has already fulfilled almost all the proposed points of this document, which, in fact, opens the door for it to enter the organization as a full-fledged participant. The only stumbling block, according to the fears of the most cautious experts, may be the objection of any of the current members of the Alliance, made for purely political reasons. An example is the position of Hungary, stubbornly "torpedoing" cooperation with NATO of Ukraine because of the conflict between these two countries.

However, for the Georgian side, something like that is unlikely: firstly, at present, Tbilisi has no serious problems in relations with any of the members of the militarypolitical a bloc of states, and secondly, the "North Atlantic" course of this country is strongly supported both in Washington and, in fact, in Brussels itself. It is quite obvious that the "afterburner" in this issue was caused by nothing more than the outcome of the conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh, which turned out to be a rather unpleasant surprise for the strategists of the Alliance. How is it that Moscow itself, without the intervention of the "world community", managed to stop the escalation of hostilities (and at its peak), and even at the same time achieved undoubted geopolitical advantages for itself? Without firing a single shot, by the way ... Moreover, the "injured party", which broke even not all plans, but a significant part of them, thus turned out to be a state that is part of NATO.

It should be understood that Turkey in the Alliance is considered, to put it mildly, not the most disciplined, compliant and negotiable member, but it is definitely “its own”. Unlike Russia ... Besides, it is considered to have the most efficient army in its region. And suddenly - she gave up in front of Russia, allowing her to stop the victorious offensive of one of Ankara's closest allies with one formidable shout. No, so absolutely not good! The North Atlantic Alliance has absolutely no intention of allowing further strengthening of our country's positions in the Caucasian-Black Sea region, and its Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg declares this directly and completely openly. In his opinion, our country did not end the bloody conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh, but "strengthened its military presence." And in general, as the Secretary General is convinced, "Moscow is increasingly aggressively expanding its militaristic activity in the world."

Well, it’s useless to look for logic here, so let’s immediately turn to the consequences of such a very peculiar reasoning of Mr. Stoltenberg. Literally today, on December 2, an online meeting of NATO foreign ministers is to take place, at which the foreign ministers of Georgia and Ukraine will be present as "invited stars". The agenda of the event is quite predictable: "Russia's opposition in the Black Sea region and the strengthening of the military presence of the Alliance in this strategically important region for it." It is already clear that Brussels intends to assign a special role to Kiev and Tbilisi. However, the "Georgian direction" appears to the Alliance as a priority - and this leads to very specific thoughts about the immediate plans of its leadership.

What about Abkhazia and South Ossetia?


Cooperation with the North Atlantic Alliance Georgia, like most of the countries of the "post-Soviet space", began almost from the moment it left the USSR. "Partnership for Peace", assistance to the international contingent of ISAF in Afghanistan - everyone went through this, and Russia, by the way, is no exception. However, the real "Euro-Atlantic aspirations" gripped Tbilisi after the implementation of the "color revolution" there and Mikheil Saakashvili's coming to power. In 2006, the Georgian parliament voted for joining NATO, and according to a referendum held two years later, this idea was supported by at least 77% of the population. Further - more: in February 2008, Saakashvili sent an official request to Brussels to join the Alliance. At the April summit of this organization in Bucharest, representatives of Georgia and Ukraine were given a firm "go-ahead" to join the bloc (despite all the earlier promises of its "non-expansion to the East"). And already in August of the same year, Tbilisi unleashed a war in the Caucasus, in which Russia had to intervene. All hopes for “Euro-Atlantic solidarity” (as well as the efforts of the transcordian instructors who tirelessly trained Georgian warriors in previous years) went up in smoke and dust.

The then Secretary General of the Alliance, Jaap de Hoop Scheffer, only managed to shrug his shoulders and complain that the organization headed by him "has no mandate" for "direct action in the Caucasus" against the Russian troops. Be that as it may, the conclusions from everything that happened in Georgia were drawn rather peculiar - they decided to "expand and deepen" cooperation with NATO, as they say. The Agile Spirit and Noble Partner exercises jointly with his servicemen are held annually in the country. Since 2015, the NATO-Georgia Joint Training and Assessment Center has been operating there, and a multinational brigade with the same name has been formed.

Basically, the only thing that Tbilisi lacks is formal membership in the Alliance. It is not a secret for anyone that the main obstacle to obtaining it all these years was the existence of "unrecognized republics" - Abkhazia and South Ossetia. This is the principle of the organization - categorically not to admit countries with unresolved territorial problems into their ranks. At the same time, the leadership of the Alliance and, in particular, Jens Stoltenberg many times made statements that the above-mentioned "small but proud" republics are not independent states, but an integral part of Georgia. What has changed now? The position of Tbilisi, where you decided not to be stubborn anymore and "let go in peace" the "rebellious" regions? Nothing of the kind - another extremely harsh statement made as recently as last week by the Georgian Foreign Ministry is evidence of this.

The foreign ministry of Tbilisi continues to repeat about the "Russian annexation of the Georgian territories" and go broke over the decisions made at the November 12 meeting of the head of Abkhazia, Aslan Bzhania, and Russian President Vladimir Putin. There they are still demanding that we get out of the Caucasus and leave the Abkhaz and Ossetians "at the mercy" of Georgia. Consequently, two options remain - either NATO will go for the so-called "German option", when the FRG, becoming its member, officially refused to apply the famous Article 5 of the Alliance's charter regarding the GDR, or ... return of "temporarily occupied territories", but now they fully coincide with the intentions of the North Atlanticists, who are ready to confront Russia in the Caucasus and the Black Sea region at any cost. This is the worst, although not the most likely option, which Russia must take into account.

An extremely important moment contributing to the fact that Georgia may indeed soon become a NATO member is its sharply increased support from the main member of the Alliance, the United States. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who visited Tbilisi on November 18 this year, said that his country "will do everything possible to implement the Euro-Atlantic aspirations" of the Georgian side. In turn, the Prime Minister of Georgia, Giorgi Gakharia, who met with him, emphasized that Tbilisi is pinning great hopes on "strengthening the US representation and military presence in the region." In my opinion, everything is extremely specific and clear. One can only add to this the words of the former commander of the US ground forces in Europe, Lieutenant General Ben Hodges, who recently announced a whole "program" of American expansion in the Caucasus. According to this retired but clearly not retired warrior, it is vital for Washington "to build new, much stronger relations not only with Azerbaijan, but also with Armenia", as well as, forgetting about differences, "to strengthen the long-standing alliance with Turkey." This is so that Russia in this region does not breathe so freely ...

As for Georgia directly, the general calls for an increase in the US military contingent there, primarily the Air Force and the Navy. For this, according to Hodges, it is even worth "investing" in the creation of new infrastructural facilities to accommodate reinforced aviation and naval groups. What can you say here? It is a quite intelligible scenario for the creation of another springboard on the borders of our country for striking it. Very competently ...

By the way, Mr. Hodges ends his own conclusions with the words that Tbilisi should “send an invitation to NATO” not even in the nearest future, but downright “immediately”. If we consider that key representatives of the new administration, which will receive full power in Washington at the beginning of next year, have already declared their own desire to "return the key role of the United States in the North Atlantic Alliance", then Jens Stoltenberg's revelations become much more understandable. And also more sinister. Indeed, in fact, Georgia's admission to NATO will unambiguously mark the beginning of a new stage in the confrontation of this military-political bloc with Russia.

Moreover, the confrontation is much more open, tough and aggressive than it was before. Contrary to all the efforts made by Moscow to resolve the situation in the Caucasus, in this case, in addition to threats in the European and Ukrainian directions, it will inevitably get new problems in this region as well.
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27 comments
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  1. +2
    2 December 2020 11: 10
    The North Atlantic Alliance has reached a final consensus on the issue of Georgia's admission to it.

    But what about NATO's main rule not to admit countries in their ranks that have territorial disputes? Or has Georgia abandoned South Ossetia and Abkhazia?
    1. 0
      2 December 2020 12: 16
      A gentleman always follows the rules. If the rules no longer suit the gentleman, he changes the rules.
      Or, "if you can't, but you really want to, then you can."
  2. +3
    2 December 2020 11: 19
    The entry of Ukraine, Moldova, Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan has nothing to do with the Russian peacekeeping mission in Nagorno-Karabakh. Their entry into NATO was predetermined from the outset, and entry into the EU - by the Eastern Partnership plan, and the EU and NATO are inextricably linked and entry into one organization predetermines membership in another.
  3. 123
    +1
    2 December 2020 12: 29
    Some guesses and assumptions based on "trustworthy" sources. Why does NATO need it? American troops can be stationed there anyway, and not only. Why broadcast this ballast around your neck? Churchkhela is missing in Brussels?
  4. 0
    2 December 2020 12: 52
    According to from trusted sources, Messrs. North Atlanticists came to the conclusion that "technically" Georgia can receive from the Alliance the long-awaited Membership Action Plan (MAP) in the very near future - "almost tomorrow."

    This "Credible Source" is not accidentally

    This was stated by the former commander of the American troops in Europe, General Ben Hodges, during an online conversation with Georgian analysts from the Geocase organization. A recording of the conversation was published on the website of this think tank.

    A retired general, in a conversation with the losing opposition, cannot say anything like that.
  5. 0
    2 December 2020 12: 58
    Quote: Jacques Sekavar
    joining one organization predetermines membership in another

    I didn’t notice that the United States entered the EU ... I don’t see there the second army of the alliance - Turkey.
    Cyprus, Malta, Sweden, Finland, Ireland, Austria seem to be not NATO members ...
    1. +3
      2 December 2020 18: 27
      I didn’t notice that the United States entered the EU ... I don’t see there the second army of the alliance - Turkey.
      Cyprus, Malta, Sweden, Finland, Ireland, Austria seem to be not NATO members ...

      Cyprus is a bone of contention between NATO members, Turkey and Greece
      Malta - is of interest only due to geography and absolute Zero in increasing military potential.
      Sweden and Finland are part of the so-called. The "Scandinavian Union", together with Norway - a member of NATO, and in fact are its affiliate, enhancing the industrial potential and mobilization capabilities of 1 million fighters, which is a lot.
      Austria has a treaty with the EU, which is inextricably linked politically and economically with NATO, and is not a formal member of NATO just because it is a formality, neutral status outweighs.
      The leading role of the United States in the EU is not noticed only by the blind, because the EU is in fact a protectorate of the United States, and Great Britain is in fact the 51st state of the United States and “overseer” in the EU.
      The desire of European transnational corporations to get out of dependence on the United States and the readiness to fight for the redistribution of world spheres of influence is indicated by the economic potential exceeding the US's, the presence of the entire economic infrastructure - the ECB, stock exchanges, rating agencies, historical ties with the former colonies, talks about creating a European army and the military-industrial complex, many other projects and plans in various spheres, one way or another challenging the world domination of the United States, which makes the United States want to “press” and “build” its allies in their confrontation with the PRC. Today, this is the core of world politics, in the shadow of which Israel remains - at the junction of three continents and three religions, it determines the future of all mankind, and the Russian Federation is assigned the role of a prize, the size of which predetermines the need for its dismemberment with subsequent colonization.
      1. The comment was deleted.
  6. +1
    2 December 2020 16: 56
    At the same time, the leadership of the Alliance and, in particular, Jens Stoltenberg, have made statements many times that the above-mentioned "small but proud" republics are not independent states at all, but an integral part of Georgia.

    - Should you understand that Croatia and Montenegro, Kosovo and others are not independent states, but an integral part of Yugoslavia?
  7. The comment was deleted.
  8. 0
    2 December 2020 17: 18
    There is no other way out for Georgia but an urgent entry into NATO. So NATO should replace the former Russia as a guarantor. The only question remains, why today Russia will not be the guarantor any longer - this is already to the ruling elite of Russia, why they do not trust the Russian Federation, why such an obstruction in the whole world of the Russian Federation. The answer is unequivocal - this is the result of the rule of comprador thieves, whose pockets are the main thing, and the Russian Federation is only a place for making billions and leaving with the loot (In the Russian Federation, such favorable laws and conditions are created for robbery: a flat scale of taxes, no prohibitions on the export of any funds, dual citizenship, etc.))
  9. 0
    2 December 2020 19: 09
    It's time to defend yourself aggressively, without waiting for a treacherous attack!
  10. 0
    2 December 2020 19: 16
    Quote: Jacques Sekavar
    I didn’t notice that the United States entered the EU ... I don’t see there the second army of the alliance - Turkey.
    Cyprus, Malta, Sweden, Finland, Ireland, Austria seem to be not NATO members ...

    Cyprus is a bone of contention between NATO members, Turkey and Greece
    Malta - is of interest only due to geography and absolute Zero in increasing military potential.
    Sweden and Finland are part of the so-called. The "Scandinavian Union", together with Norway - a member of NATO, and in fact are its affiliate, enhancing the industrial potential and mobilization capabilities of 1 million fighters, which is a lot.
    Austria has a treaty with the EU, which is inextricably linked politically and economically with NATO, and is not a formal member of NATO just because it is a formality, neutral status outweighs.
    The leading role of the United States in the EU is not noticed only by the blind, because the EU is in fact a protectorate of the United States, and Great Britain is in fact the 51st state of the United States and “overseer” in the EU.
    The desire of European transnational corporations to get out of dependence on the United States and the readiness to fight for the redistribution of world spheres of influence is indicated by the economic potential exceeding the US's, the presence of the entire economic infrastructure - the ECB, stock exchanges, rating agencies, historical ties with the former colonies, talks about creating a European army and the military-industrial complex, many other projects and plans in various spheres, one way or another challenging the world domination of the United States, which makes the United States want to “press” and “build” its allies in their confrontation with the PRC. Today, this is the core of world politics, in the shadow of which Israel remains - at the junction of three continents and three religions, it determines the future of all mankind, and the Russian Federation is assigned the role of a prize, the size of which predetermines the need for its dismemberment with subsequent colonization.

    How much has been written to confirm the incorrectness of your statement -

    The EU and NATO are inextricably linked and joining one organization predetermines membership in another.
  11. 0
    2 December 2020 19: 20
    Quote: Bulanov
    "At the same time, the leadership of the Alliance and, in particular, Jens Stoltenberg, have made statements many times that the above-mentioned" small but proud "republics are not independent states, but an integral part of Georgia."
    - Should you understand that Croatia and Montenegro, Kosovo and others are not independent states, but an integral part of Yugoslavia?

    Sorry, but Yugoslavia was a FEDERATION with the right to independence of its member republics, Georgia has never been a federation.
  12. 0
    2 December 2020 19: 49
    Georgia's NATO membership is Moscow's response to its success in Nagorno-Karabakh

    - Ha., But this is unlikely to happen ...
    - At least Turkey doesn't need Georgia, but NATO ...
    - NATO wants to get a new conflict within itself ... between Georgia and Turkey ??? - NATO is not enough of these conflicts ... - between Greece and Turkey ??? - Or a completely new conflict between Armenia and Turkey (that is, with Azerbaijan) seemed to her insufficient ???
    - If NATO is so striving "by this" to rein in the impudent Turkey, then Georgia is unlikely to help him in this ... - it will only add new problems ...
    - Now, if NATO came up with a conflict between Turkey and Georgia (which is rather absurd) and Turkey would have blown Georgia to shreds (Georgia, which is already obedient to NATO and obsequious to him in everything) ... would be in NATO ... and quickly (outrunning, ignoring and squeezing Turkey out) would have landed their (non-Turkish) troops in Georgia and would have created military bases ... -Then it is a completely different matter ...
    - The truth about Georgia itself and about the Georgians themselves would then only be remembered ... - But that doesn't matter ... - That's the only way Georgia can be accepted into NATO ... - or rather the remains or remains of Georgia ...
  13. +1
    2 December 2020 21: 35
    author the Russian Federation did not have any success, but there was a forced concession to the Turkish coalition. The Turks also entered Karabakh. Moreover, their number is large.
  14. -1
    2 December 2020 23: 13
    in vain these great Georgians were not finished off in 2008
  15. 0
    3 December 2020 16: 34
    What a long, senseless article-stuffing ... Count on elderly couch "thinkers" who are willingly accepted to comment on all kinds of dirt ... Georgia will never go to NATO - there are no fools there ...
  16. -1
    3 December 2020 16: 36
    Georgia's accession to NATO poses unacceptable threats to Russia's security.
    Georgia currently has approximately 100 km. the coast of the Black Sea. In order to ensure Russia's national security, it is advisable to occupy the Georgian coast and the line of the Georgian border with Turkey to Armenia, this is about 300 km. This will create an insurmountable obstacle to NATO's expansion into Georgian territory. Georgia's economic sovereignty, however, should not suffer. Let them trade with whoever they want, the main thing is that it should be a peaceful trade and without drugs and terrorists. Hardly anyone in NATO (Spain, Portugal, or even France with Italy, not to mention Germany) will want to fight with Russia after this forced action, well, perhaps Turkey, and even then hardly, and the United States is now in in the near future they will be very busy with their internal problems. Russia cannot and should not allow Georgia to join NATO, and if it can be achieved diplomatically, then it is very good, although it is better to be on the safe side, because you cannot trust anyone, neither Georgia nor even NATO. How do our Western partners act if their interests conflict with international law? That's right, they choose their interests.
    To live with wolves, howl like a wolf.
    1. +1
      3 December 2020 19: 52
      Are the Western partners Venezuela?
  17. 0
    3 December 2020 20: 22
    Here you need to decide. Either Georgia is a friendly country or not. Without any rumors about brothers and Georgian hospitality. If they go to NATO, then they have decided that they have an enemy. And if so, why pity them? If they were a neutral country, then you can and regret. And since the enemies, so the enemies. We did not choose this. To act preemptively. To create a provocation, to flood Georgia with Syrian, Libyan militants, to create there, following the example of the United States, controlled chaos and, under the pretext of fighting terrorists, introduce this contingent. And the war will be there , and not ү us, And no NATA will go there. You have to play with the West according to their rules. “Then, let them shout, they will respect the power. Yes, the Georgian people will suffer. This is unambiguous. But why because if they join , or they will be taken into NATO, should we suffer ??? Let them assess the risks.
    1. -1
      4 December 2020 14: 00
      Russia pities Georgia? And what is it expressed in? Maybe that over the past 30 years, Russia has fought three times with Georgia?
  18. 0
    3 December 2020 20: 59
    If NATO renounced Turkey in the conflict with Russia, then Georgia who, to be reckoned with and protected!
  19. 0
    3 December 2020 21: 07
    NATO and when you accept Moldova into your ranks It's time for Russia to forget about Moldova
  20. The comment was deleted.
  21. 0
    4 December 2020 07: 41
    The Russians have only one friend - the army, aviation and navy.
  22. -2
    4 December 2020 08: 18
    Poor Georgia will become the same bottom as Ukraine
  23. The comment was deleted.
    1. The comment was deleted.
  24. 0
    4 December 2020 19: 29
    Quote: sat3691
    here you need to decide whether Greece is a friendly country or not.

    And Russia itself is a friendly country to Georgia and how is this expressed?
  25. -1
    8 December 2020 23: 26
    This is "success", Turkey entered Azerbaijan and got access to the Caspian Sea, the NATO country found itself under the belly of the empire, and propagandists from all their irons are broadcasting about the victory of Russia in the conflict in Karabakh, and this despite the fact that Russia did not take the side of its ally in the CSTO , and if we speak the boyish language of the president of Russia, then this president is simply to contact Turkey.
    1. 0
      8 December 2020 23: 30
      this president was "afraid" to get involved with Turkey (the local censorship didn't miss the right word, but I think it's clear anyway)