Georgia hosts NATO military exercises despite perceived pivot towards Russia

Georgia hosted a major military exercise with NATO troops on Friday, despite its government facing growing accusations of moving off its pro-Western path and tilting closer to Russia.

The country's NATO membership bid is enshrined in its constitution and was endorsed by the military alliance in 2008, but Georgia’s perceived democratic backsliding in recent years has placed it increasingly at odds with Western partners such as the European Union.

Georgia's Defence Ministry said the Agile Spirit exercise, which is taking place near the capital Tbilisi until 8 August, is part of a broader series of joint drills.

The war games involve more than 2,000 troops from 10 countries, such as Germany, Romania, Poland, Ukraine and Moldova.

The drills in Georgia are expected to include live-fire exercises and a joint operation with the Lithuanian-Polish-Ukrainian Brigade.

Is the EU losing Georgia?

Earlier this month, the European Parliament in Strasbourg adopted a strongly worded resolution against what EU legislators called "the self-proclaimed authorities established by the Georgian Dream party following the rigged parliamentary elections of 26 October 2024."

According to the Georgian Dream, the opposition is working against the national interest along with the EU.

Last autumn's elections sparked a wave of protests that lasted more than six months, primarily against the government in Georgia, amid accusations of election fraud.

The EU is highly concerned by the wave of detentions carried out by the Georgian authorities against journalists and some members of the opposition. The authorities arrested at least seven opposition figures in recent months.

Georgia applied for EU membership in March 2022, along with Ukraine and Moldova, and was granted candidate country status in December 2023.

Just months later, growing concerns and disagreements between Brussels and the Georgian government prompted the two sides to freeze the enlargement process.

As a result, the financial support from the European Peace Facility, worth €30 million, was suspended in 2024, and no support is planned for this year.

Meanwhile, Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze told Euronews in May that his country plays a "vital role for Europe."

"Everyone should recognise Georgia's strategic importance for Europe, especially for the eurozone. Our role in the region is significant, and that’s why the need for dialogue with Georgian leaders is increasingly acknowledged," he said.