> Thomas de Waal, a Caucasus specialist at Carnegie Europe, believes it’s a mistake to see any kind of close friendship with Russia. “It’s a business relationsh

> Thomas de Waal, a Caucasus specialist at Carnegie Europe, believes it’s a mistake to see any kind of close friendship with Russia. “It’s a business relationship - there’s no diplomatic relationship. Things are going on behind the scenes but they’re more afraid of Russia than wanting to join Russia.” I presume this is because Georgians know that modern Russian leadership will never let them "join" in a way that isn't a buffer/puppet state or national erasure into second-class citizens.