The European nation that could possibly be the subsequent battleground in Ukraine-Russia conflict

As Ukraine intensifies its assaults on Moscow’s Black Sea fleet, a current settlement between the separatist chief of Abkhazia, Georgia, Aslan Bzhania, and Russia to arrange a naval base within the Black Sea city of Ochamchire has sparked alarm in Georgia.

The Georgian president, Salome Zurabishvili, addressed the parliament, stating that Russia‘s plans pose a direct risk to the safety of the Black Sea area. As a outcome, Georgia may grow to be a key battleground of kinds within the ongoing conflict between Vladimir Putin‘s Russia and Zelensky’s troops in Ukraine.

“Russia’s plan to transform the Ochamchire port into its navy base is aimed at shifting the confrontation into the Black Sea, into our territorial waters, and at creating a threat to the strategic perspective of the Black Sea,” President Zurabishvili mentioned throughout her speech.

Abkhazia, a disputed territory in northwestern Georgia, has been recognised as an unbiased state by Russia, whereas the vast majority of UN member states nonetheless regard it as sovereign Georgian territory. The signing of the settlement to determine a Russian naval base in Ochamchire additional complicates the geopolitical dynamics within the area.

Ochamchire has served as a base for Russian patrol vessels within the Black Sea since 2009. However, it was beforehand deemed unsuitable for bigger vessels resulting from its shallow waters.

In October, Ukraine‘s intelligence service reported that Russia was actively engaged in “reconstructing the port infrastructure in some places to ensure that warships can be based there”.

The transfer has prompted Georgia to voice its issues over the potential militarisation of the Black Sea and the implications for regional stability. President Zurabishvili’s denouncement comes at a time when the battle between Ukraine and Russia has been escalating, notably within the Black Sea area.

While Abkhazia stays some extent of competition between Georgia and Russia, the institution of a Russian naval base in Ochamchire may exacerbate tensions and draw Georgia into the broader geopolitical battle.