‘I have no doubt that the Kremlin is supporting these actions in a variety of means…’ EuropeTime spoke to Former commander of the United States Army Europe, Lieutenant General and the Pershing Chair in Strategic Studies at the Center for European Policy Analysis (CEPA), Ben Hodges.
According to him today’s actions were, unfortunately, a huge step backward for Georgia.
‘Today’s actions represent, unfortunately, a huge step backward for Georgia. I am very concerned with how the Govt is using such force and violence to attack the headquarters of an opposition party and to arrest the leader of the opposition party. This is not what I’d expect from a liberal democracy that seeks stronger ties with the West and membership in NATO. I do hope that anyone who has been injured today is able to recover quickly.
I have no doubt that the Kremlin is supporting these actions in a variety of means...it’s their normal approach, to destabilize and create distrust and prevent the emergence of free, prosperous civil society on their borders...because they don’t want their own citizens to see how much better life can be when young people are allowed to make choices and when freedoms are protected through a free media, fair elections, and a multi-party Parliament. This is why transparency is so important...to prevent individuals from being able to have outsize illegal or inappropriate control over what should be governmental processes.
I hope that the Biden Administration, and others, will speak out quickly, loudly, and clearly to say that we expect our Friends in the region who aspire for strong ties to the West, to avoid the use of force and to ensure transparency in any cases resulting from today’s actions. I also hope that the Biden Administration will work hard to develop a long-term strategy for the greater Black Sea region that encompasses diplomatic and information and economic assistance and cooperation with all of our friends and Allies in the region...that will help develop the institutions of liberal democracy there as well as help improve the economic prosperity of all people there. This is key for the young people of Georgia and other nations in the region...to help them fulfil their potential’. - Said General Hodges.
