> Thomas de Waal, a Caucasus specialist at Carnegie Europe, believes it’s a mistake to see any kind of close friendship with Russia. “It’s a business relationship - there’s no diplomatic relationship. Things are going on behind the scenes but they’re more afraid of Russia than wanting to join Russia.”<p>I presume this is because Georgians know that modern Russian leadership will never let them "join" in a way that isn't a buffer/puppet state or national erasure into second-class citizens.
Let's not forget that the opposition lost the elections and these protests are a coup attempt against a legitimate majority (unless proven otherwise).<p>This is like January 6 with the West cheerleading for the insurgents.