Why Russia Wants Georgia So Badly

Added: 2026-05-29

[00:00:00]Why does Russia want Georgia so badly?

[00:00:02]It sits at a strategic crossroads between Europe, the Middle East, and Central Asia, making it extremely important for trade, energy routes, and military positioning. Georgia is also one of the few paths connecting the Caspian region to Europe without passing through Russia. That threatens Moscow's influence over regional energy and transportation corridors. For years, Georgia has moved closer to the West, seeking stronger ties with NATO and the European Union. For the Kremlin, that's a major problem. Russia sees NATO expansion near its borders as a direct security threat. And if Georgia fully joins the western sphere, Moscow risks losing influence in one of the most strategic regions near its southern border.