Georgia must remain vigilant about Russia - President
Russia 鈥渕ight be tempted of making a point over Georgia鈥� after its 鈥渉umiliation鈥� in Ukraine, Georgia鈥檚 president has said.
Salome Zourabichvili told the 麻豆社 Hardtalk programme鈥檚 Zeinab Badawi that while she did not think Russia would invade her country, 鈥渧igilance鈥� was required and that ultimately 鈥渘obody will ever prevent Russia鈥� from acting as it pleases.
鈥淩ussia has always wanted to absorb Georgia鈥�, she said, 鈥渟o we know that, we鈥檙e living with that鈥�.
But she said Georgia, a former Soviet republic, must stand firm despite the risks. Russia鈥檚 actions 鈥渟hould not, in no way, determine our actions, our words, and our orientation towards Europe鈥�.
Russia briefly invaded Georgia in 2008 and two Russia-backed separatist enclaves of South Ossetia and Abkhazia make up a fifth of Georgia鈥檚 territory.
The country shares a 1,000km (620 mile) border with Russia and has applied to join Nato and the European Union, but has not yet been granted membership of either organisation.
