EU Regional Integration Policy and Georgia's Geoeconomic Interests

Abstract

The global changes taking place in the 21st century, particularly Russia's military aggression against sovereign Ukraine, have significantly altered the security architecture of the European continent.

In parallel with the ongoing war in Ukraine, energy prices in Europe are consistently rising. The disruption of Ukrainian wheat exports has threatened global food security, becoming one of the primary causes of a humanitarian crisis. European states face new challenges, making it essential to maintain unprecedented unity and collectively overcome emerging difficulties.

The European Union's response to Russian aggression is direct and unambiguous. Economic sanctions and the imposition of a price cap on energy resources have significantly reduced European countries' dependence on Russian oil and gas, thereby dealing a major blow to the Russian economy.

Against the backdrop of Russia's ambiguous geoeconomic policy toward the South Caucasus countries, their economic relations with the European Union are deepening. On one hand, Russia attempts to play the role of a peacemaker in the region; on the other hand, it promotes economic and political destabilization by encouraging local conflicts and occupying territories.