DISINFO: If Georgia cooperates with the West, its statehood will continue to disintegrate
SUMMARY
If Georgia is consistent and tries to strengthen its geopolitical position, first of all, establishing relations with Russia, then it will without a doubt be able to exist as a state entity in the Caucasus. But if Georgia pursues a “decisive policy”, intensifying its cooperation with some radical Western forces, then the process of disintegration of Georgia’s statehood will continue.
Given the serious turbulence in the Middle East, it is not excluded that the question of preserving Georgian statehood will emerge.
RESPONSE
A common pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative on “lost sovereignty” and independence, challenging Georgian statehood, as if cooperation with the Western institutions destroys the country's sovereignty and statehood. Pro-Kremlin outlets often claim many countries, not under Moscow's control, became Western puppets.
Georgia is a sovereign and independent country that regained its independence in 1991 after the collapse of the USSR. Georgia, as an independent country, has a functioning government and economy, it is a member of many international organisations, such as the United Nations and the Council of Europe, and a party to international agreements. Georgia has bilateral diplomatic relations with the majority of countries and enjoys close partnership relations with the Western countries.
The country is not under the control of any foreign government or organisation. Both the EU and the US respect Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
However, Georgia suffered an attack by Russia in 2008. Many international organisations condemned the occupation of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, see e.g. the CSCE statement here, the Delegation of the European Union to Georgia here and the European Parliament's declaration.
Russia continues its military presence in both Abkhazia and South Ossetia in violation of international law and commitments undertaken by Russia under the 12 August 2008 agreement, mediated by the European Union.
Media Development Foundation's media monitoring results revealed that the narrative that the West is interfering in the sovereign affairs of Georgia and virtually run the country is one of the main trends of anti-Western propaganda and disinformation in the country. The same results show a powerful Russia is often portrayed as the alternative to the West.
See related disinformation claims, alleging that Georgia's statehood is on the verge of extinction; The death of Georgia's statehood and Georgians as a nation is a matter of time; If Georgia joins NATO, its territory will be annexed by Turkey.