This article discusses the situation in Georgia and the potential actions of the European Union (EU) to address democratic backsliding under the Georgian Dream (GD) government. The author suggests that the EU could impose sanctions on individuals and companies, increase high-level political support, and develop a clear escalation plan to address human rights abuses.
The article also touches on the impact of a potential Trump administration in the US on Georgia’s situation. The author believes that while the US has been more active than the EU in imposing sanctions on Georgian government officials, a Trump administration may not necessarily shift the US stance towards Georgia.
Some key points from the article include:
* **EU options**: The EU could impose sanctions on individuals and companies, increase high-level political support, and develop a clear escalation plan to address human rights abuses.
* **US impact**: A potential Trump administration may not necessarily shift the US stance towards Georgia. However, the author believes that a Trump administration could drive Europeans closer together on security and defense policy, which could eventually have implications for EU foreign policy.
* **Security guarantees**: The issue of security guarantees from Europe and the US remains crucial in this context. NATO‘s current hesitancy to offer firmer security guarantees may make the Georgian Dream stronger in its argumentation that they need to balance foreign policy with Russia.
* **NATO membership**: A potential “carrot” for the Georgian Dream government to change course could be a more firmly placed NATO membership for Ukraine and Moldova. However, it is unclear if this would actually influence the GD’s course.
The article concludes by saying that there are many uncertainties in how the situation will unfold and that broader support among EU Member States is needed to take stronger measures against Georgia.