Precisely because the conflict with Georgia now has a lower profile than Ukraine, the EU and Russia might start exploring ways to minimize the risk of confrontation and even test approaches for accommodation. Using the provisions of the Association Agreement and the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement signed with Georgia EU can underscore its commitment to human rights and propose technical solutions that would improve the lives of residents in Abkhazia and South Ossetia in terms of access to education, healthcare, and freedom of movement and trade.

Despite their appealing promises, oligarchs do not offer a viable form of governance in countries such as Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine.

Efforts by Berlin to deny Georgians visa-free access to EU countries damage Germany’s credibility as the union’s leader in its Eastern neighborhood.

Russia continues to subvert its neighbors in Eastern Europe and the South Caucasus, while the EU lacks any strategy to check this advance. The EU needs to step up its response.

Thomas de Waal and Jaba Devdariani discussed the geopolitical stakes in Eastern Europe, policy options for the EU’s new leaders, and Russia’s likely response.