Professor John Mearsheimer: EU has interest in using Georgia to create problems for Moscow

Georgia has a strong opportunity to attract foreign investment if it pursues a careful and balanced foreign policy, said on Sunday John Mearsheimer, an American political scientist and international relations scholar, in response to a question about what steps Georgia should take amid the current complex geopolitical environment.

In his interview with Imedi TV, Mearsheimer noted that the key to attracting foreign investment and protecting national interests lies in avoiding confrontation with Russia.

“Georgians must understand that the European Union has a strong interest in using Georgia to create problems for Moscow. At the same time, Russia has an interest in pushing the EU as far away from itself as possible. Relations between Europe and Russia are poisoned, and this will not change in the near future. Georgia must not get caught in the middle of this dispute”, Mearsheimer said.

He emphasised that the geopolitical situation surrounding Georgia is extremely fragile and that the country faces a difficult path ahead. However, Mearsheimer expressed confidence in Georgia’s ability to navigate these challenges successfully.

“Georgia has learned important lessons from the 2008 war. If Georgia is cautious, strategically smart, and also somewhat lucky, it will be able to protect its national interests and attract foreign investment”, he continued.

Mearsheimer stressed that a policy of balance is essential. If Georgia acts accordingly, he said, the country can continue moving forward with fairly positive results despite the challenging regional and international environment.