Relationship dossier
Georgia
Russia
Relationship assessment
Relations remain severely strained by the 2008 war, Russia’s military presence in Abkhazia and South Ossetia, and Georgia’s territorial claims.
Georgia toward Russia
-75Georgia has pursued international support for its territorial integrity and condemned Russia’s recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. After the 2008 war, Georgia severed diplomatic relations with Russia, while maintaining limited channels for talks and practical contact.
Russia toward Georgia
-80Russia fought Georgia in the 2008 war, recognized Abkhazia and South Ossetia as independent states, and maintains military forces in both regions. These actions directly challenge Georgia’s territorial integrity and underpin sustained bilateral confrontation.
Overall relationship
-80The relationship is structured chiefly by the unresolved consequences of the 2008 war and the status of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. Russia’s recognition of the regions and continuing military presence conflict with Georgia’s territorial claims; diplomatic ties remain severed, although limited dialogue and practical contacts have continued.
How to read these scores
Scores are rough judgments, not objective measurements or current verification. Directional scores describe government policy and conduct, not public opinion. The overall score is an independent estimate, never an average.
- −100
- Extreme sustained hostility
- −50
- Substantially adversarial
- 0
- Mixed or neutral, supported by knowledge
- +50
- Substantially cooperative
- +100
- Exceptionally close sustained partnership
“Not assessed” means there is no recorded score. Pair existence makes no claim about diplomatic recognition or established relations.
Relationship context
Overview
Georgia–Russia relations are dominated by Russia’s military intervention and occupation of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, which Georgia considers integral parts of its territory. Georgia severed diplomatic relations with Russia after the 2008 war, while bilateral talks and limited practical contacts have continued. Russia recognizes the two regions as independent states and maintains a military presence there, leaving the relationship in sustained confrontation despite some economic and people-to-people ties.
Areas of tension
- The status of Abkhazia and South Ossetia and Georgia’s territorial integrity.
- Russia’s military presence in Abkhazia and South Ossetia.
- The consequences of the 2008 war and the lack of a comprehensive settlement.
Key developments
Following the 2008 Russo-Georgian war, Georgia severed diplomatic relations with Russia.
Russia recognized Abkhazia and South Ossetia as independent states after the war.
Major uncertainties
- The prospects for a durable settlement of the conflicts over Abkhazia and South Ossetia remain unclear.
- The extent and durability of practical bilateral cooperation alongside the unresolved conflicts are uncertain.