Publication

In light of Georgia’s intentions of signing an Association Agreement with the EU and strengthening its links with NATO in 2014, this brief discusses the future of Russian-Georgian relations. The author first reviews the extent of Russia's leverage over Georgia and its influence within the country before contending that due to the weakness of both of these, Moscow will probably not resort to overt pressure on Tbilisi in the run-up to the signing of the Association Agreement. Instead, she contends that Russia will continue cooperating with Georgia despite its westward course while simultaneously attempting to strengthen its influence in the country.