Georgia Unrest: "A Fight for Dear Life" – Insights from Former UN Military Advisor Stanislav Krapivnik
In a special interview, journalist Patrick Lancaster sat down with Stas Krapivnik, a former U.S. Army officer and military advisor to the United Nations in Georgia, to discuss the escalating situation in Georgia. Over the past few days, protests have erupted in Tbilisi and beyond, following the government’s controversial decision to delay European Union accession talks until 2028. Krapivnik, who has deep ties to Georgia and firsthand experience with its political landscape, described the unrest as a critical moment for the nation, calling it a "fight for dear life."(for the Government and county as a whole)
A Veteran’s Perspective on Georgia
Stas Krapivnik brings a unique viewpoint to the discussion, having served as a military advisor in Georgia in the early 2000s, during a time of heightened tensions with Abkhazia. Reflecting on his experiences, Krapivnik emphasized the stakes for Georgia today, which he described as being caught between two stark choices: development or destruction.
"If they (the government) lose," Krapivnik warned, "Georgia will die. It’s going to be made into another Ukraine, a very small Ukraine, and used to start a war with Russia."
This blunt assessment highlights the gravity of the current unrest and its potential to reshape the region’s geopolitical dynamics.
Roots of the Unrest
Krapivnik traced the roots of the protests to the Western pressure on Georgia to align with EU and NATO policies, often at odds with the country’s traditional values and national interests. He pointed to the growing dissatisfaction with Western influence among a significant portion of the Georgian population.
"When the West was working on Georgia from a financial and economic standpoint, and with some Russophobia, they were making headway. But the problem is, that’s always phase one," Krapivnik explained. "Phase two is the destruction of your culture, attacks on the church, on the family, and pushing LGBTQ agendas."
For many Georgians, these pressures have become a "bridge too far," resulting in a shift in political sentiment that favors a more cautious approach to EU integration.
The Foreign Agents Bill and Its Implications
Krapivnik highlighted the significance of Georgia’s recent foreign agents bill, which has been a focal point of the unrest. Modeled on similar laws in the United States and Russia, the bill aims to increase transparency around foreign funding of NGOs and political movements. Critics, including Western governments, have labeled it anti-democratic.
"The Georgian Dream party pushed through this bill because of growing frustration with American money being funneled through NGOs to fund destabilizing activities," Krapivnik said. "The problem is, the biggest foreign agent in Georgia is actually its president, Salome Zourabichvili."
Zourabichvili, a French-born politician with ties to Western institutions, has been accused by Krapivnik and others of undermining Georgia’s sovereignty to serve Western interests.
Who Are the Protesters?
The protests in Georgia have drawn significant international attention, but Krapivnik questioned their legitimacy as a representation of the Georgian population.
"Are they all Georgians? Far from it," Krapivnik stated, noting the presence of foreign nationals, including Russian liberals, Ukrainians, and Western activists. "About 20% of the protesters are foreigners, some of whom are paid to destabilize the situation."
He compared the current unrest to Ukraine’s Maidan protests in 2014, drawing parallels in the involvement of external actors and the potential for escalation into violence.
Georgia’s Two Paths: Prosperity or War
For Krapivnik, Georgia faces a clear choice: embrace its current trajectory of economic growth and stability or risk becoming a pawn in larger geopolitical conflicts. He noted that Georgia’s economy has grown significantly in recent years, fueled by investments from Russia, China, and the Middle East.
"Georgia has large-scale infrastructure projects underway, like the six-lane highway connecting Poti to Gori, and the redevelopment of Poti as a major port," Krapivnik said. "It’s either that or war."
The alternative, he warned, is catastrophic: "The West is pushing Georgia to become a second front against Russia. But the majority of Georgians don’t want that. They’ve seen what’s happened in Ukraine and Moldova, and they don’t want the same fate."
A Stark Warning for the Georgian Government
Krapivnik concluded the interview with a warning: the Georgian government must remain firm in the face of external pressures and internal unrest. Unlike Ukraine’s leadership during the Maidan protests, he believes Georgia’s leaders have shown greater resolve.
"The Georgian government is much more proactive and willing to use force if needed. They understand that these protests are not about democracy but about overthrowing their government and destroying their society," Krapivnik said.
He added that the use of force is often the only way to prevent color revolutions from spiraling out of control: "We’ve seen this playbook before. The only solution is to confront it decisively."
Final Thoughts: Georgia at a Crossroads
For Kropivnik, the situation in Georgia is about more than protests or politics—it’s about the survival of the nation itself. As he put it, "This is a fight for dear life."
With the world watching, Georgia’s future remains uncertain. Will it continue its path of sovereignty and development, or will it succumb to the pressures of becoming a battleground in a larger geopolitical conflict? For now, the Georgian government appears determined to chart its own course, but the challenges ahead are immense.
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