New Developments in the Conflict Between Russia and Georgia

{
  "authors": [
    "James F. Collins"
  ],
  "type": "legacyinthemedia",
  "centerAffiliationAll": "dc",
  "centers": [
    "Carnegie Endowment for International Peace"
  ],
  "collections": [],
  "englishNewsletterAll": "",
  "nonEnglishNewsletterAll": "",
  "primaryCenter": "Carnegie Endowment for International Peace",
  "programAffiliation": "russia",
  "programs": [
    "Russia and Eurasia"
  ],
  "projects": [],
  "regions": [
    "Caucasus",
    "Russia"
  ],
  "topics": [
    "Foreign Policy"
  ]
}

In The Media

New Developments in the Conflict Between Russia and Georgia

French President Nicholas Sarkozy will meet with Dmitry Medvedev in an effort to move the Russian leadership toward a cease-fire agreement already signed by Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili. Even if a ceasefire is reached, continuing turmoil in South Ossetia, which refuses to return to Georgian control, and Abkhazia, where the political situation remains unclear, will keep tensions high.

By James F. Collins

Published on Aug 12, 2008

Source: WNYC's The Take Away

President Bush described Russia’s military advances into Georgia as unacceptable and warned that Russian leaders are jeopardizing their relationship with the West. Former U.S. Ambassador to Russia, James Collins, explains on WNYC’s The Take Away that the more important development for bringing the crisis to an end is French President Nicholas Sarkozy’s meeting with Dmitry Medvedev during which he will try to move the Russian leadership toward a cease-fire agreement already signed by Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili.

Collins warns that even if a ceasefire is reached, continuing turmoil in South Ossetia, which refuses to return to Georgian control, and Abkhazia, where the political situation remains unclear, will keep tensions high.

Click Here to Listen

Foreign Policy Caucasus Russia

Carnegie does not take institutional positions on public policy issues; the views represented herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of Carnegie, its staff, or its trustees.

More Work from Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center

Commentary
Carnegie Politika
How Will the Loss of Starlink and Telegram Impact Russia’s Military?
With the blocking of Starlink terminals and restriction of access to Telegram, Russian troops in Ukraine have suffered a double technological blow. But neither service is irreplaceable.
Maria Kolomychenko
Commentary
Carnegie Politika
Signs of an Imminent End to the Ukraine War Are Deceptive
The main source of Russian aggression is a profound mistrust of the West and the firm belief that it intends to inflict a “strategic defeat” on Russia. As long as this fear persists, the war will not end.
Tatiana Stanovaya
Commentary
Carnegie Politika
Does Russia Have Enough Soldiers to Keep Waging War Against Ukraine?
The Russian army is not currently struggling to recruit new contract soldiers, though the number of people willing to go to war for money is dwindling.
Dmitry Kuznets
Commentary
Carnegie Politika
Russia’s Unspoken Condition for Ending the War Is Zelensky’s Resignation
Insisting on Zelensky’s resignation is not just a personal vendetta, but a clear signal that the Kremlin would like to send to all its neighbors: even if you manage to put up some resistance, you will ultimately pay the price—including on a personal level.
Vladislav Gorin
Commentary
Carnegie Politika
For Putin, Increasing Russia’s Nuclear Threat Matters More Than the Triad’s Modernization
For Putin, upgrading Russia’s nuclear forces was a secondary goal. The main aim was to gain an advantage over the West, including by strengthening the nuclear threat on all fronts. That made growth in missile arsenals and a new arms race inevitable.
Maxim Starchak

New Developments in the Conflict Between Russia and Georgia

More Work from Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center

Commentary

Carnegie Politika

How Will the Loss of Starlink and Telegram Impact Russia’s Military?

With the blocking of Starlink terminals and restriction of access to Telegram, Russian troops in Ukraine have suffered a double technological blow. But neither service is irreplaceable.

Maria Kolomychenko

Commentary

Carnegie Politika

Signs of an Imminent End to the Ukraine War Are Deceptive

The main source of Russian aggression is a profound mistrust of the West and the firm belief that it intends to inflict a “strategic defeat” on Russia. As long as this fear persists, the war will not end.

Tatiana Stanovaya

Commentary

Carnegie Politika

Does Russia Have Enough Soldiers to Keep Waging War Against Ukraine?

The Russian army is not currently struggling to recruit new contract soldiers, though the number of people willing to go to war for money is dwindling.

Dmitry Kuznets

Commentary

Carnegie Politika

Russia’s Unspoken Condition for Ending the War Is Zelensky’s Resignation

Insisting on Zelensky’s resignation is not just a personal vendetta, but a clear signal that the Kremlin would like to send to all its neighbors: even if you manage to put up some resistance, you will ultimately pay the price—including on a personal level.

Vladislav Gorin

Commentary

Carnegie Politika

For Putin, Increasing Russia’s Nuclear Threat Matters More Than the Triad’s Modernization

For Putin, upgrading Russia’s nuclear forces was a secondary goal. The main aim was to gain an advantage over the West, including by strengthening the nuclear threat on all fronts. That made growth in missile arsenals and a new arms race inevitable.

Maxim Starchak