13:53, 6 August 2018

Russian authorities threaten Georgia with a conflict after joining NATO

The "Noble Partner" military exercise, August 2018. Photo by Inna Kukudjanova for the "Caucasian Knot"

Georgia's accession to NATO can provoke a "terrible conflict," the Russian Prime Minister said on the background of the Russian military exercises in Abkhazia and the NATO exercise in Georgia.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on July 11, following the summit, NATO countries confirmed the decision about Georgia's becoming a member of NATO adopted in 2008. On July 17, President Vladimir Putin announced a response to Georgia's accession to NATO, since he believed the expansion of NATO to the borders of Russia would threaten the country.

"That can provoke a terrible conflict, and it is not clear why they need that," said Dmitry Medvedev as quoted by the TASS.

The Russian Prime Minister has also added that the armed conflict between Georgia and South Ossetia, which Russia entered in 2008, was not inevitable.

After the "five-day war", Russia recognized the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, and Georgia broke diplomatic relations with the Russian Federation.

Units of the Southern Military District and marines of the Black Sea Fleet conduct exercises on the Black Sea coast in Abkhazia, the newspaper "Rossiyskaya Gazeta" reports.

Let us remind you that starting from August 1, Georgia hosts the "Noble Partner" multinational exercise of partners and NATO countries. This year, the exercise involves 1300 Georgian and 1170 US soldiers and soldiers from other countries, including Armenia, Azerbaijan, France, Germany, and Britain.

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’on August 5, 2018 at 11:09 am MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.