An Impact of the Influx of Russians in Georgia

Abstract

Russia's full-scale war against Ukraine has fundamentally changed the regional security environment, increasing insecurity in the Black Sea region. It has also sparked unprecedented tensions in Georgia, where, on the one hand, a majority of the society is supportive of European and Euro-Atlantic integration, but on the other, the government has been restoring some ties with Moscow. The unprecedented flow of Russian citizens into Georgia has caused a heightened sense of dissatisfaction among Georgians and raised security concerns, as well as the country's increasing economic dependence on Moscow. This article analyses security, political and economic implications of the influx of Russians in Georgia. The paper concludes that short-term economic benefits do not outweigh the political and security implications, which may also negatively affect Georgia's prospects for European integration.