Tbilisi’s Russian expat community disputes Moscow’s narrative of a surge of Russophobia in the country, but some say that the ongoing tensions have put them in a complicated place.
Georgia’s economy is increasingly dependent on tourism, and that sector has become increasingly dependent on Russians. The losses from Russia’s tourism embargo could cost the country hundreds of millions of dollars.
While the president was busy playing soldier, all his regional peers, as well heads of state from China, Russia and Iran, were mustering in the capital of Tajikistan.