Marutyan is looking to position himself as an alternative to both the unpopular government and the mainstream opposition, which is tainted by the corruption of the previous regime.
In addition to the risk of the Ukraine War spreading to Georgian territory, the planned Russian naval base in Abkhazia could threaten Georgia's status as a global east-west connectivity hub.
Russian peacekeeping troops in Nagorno-Karabakh presided over the exodus of the entire population they were sent there to protect. Moscow says they've done a great job.