Why Russia invaded The Republic of Georgia

Here is an article from Russia Today outlining Russia's foreign policy goals.

Russia’s President Dmitry Medvedev has outlined five principles guiding his foreign policy in the wake of the recognition of South Ossetia and Abkhazia as independent states. He said Russia recognises international law but won’t accept decisions ‘made by one country solely’.
In a joint interview with Russia's three major television channels, Medvedev said that, first of all, Russia recognises the supremacy of international legal fundamentals, which define relations between civilised nations. "Second, the world must be multi-polar. Single polarity is unacceptable," Medvedev outlined. "Russia cannot accept a world order, where decisions are made by one state, even such a serious one as the United States,” he said. Such a world is unstable and might lead to conflicts, the President said.Thirdly, Russia does not want confrontation with any country. "Russia does not intend to isolate itself. We will be developing as friendly relations as possible with Europe, the USA and other nations," Medvedev added.The protection of life and dignity of Russian citizens "no matter where they live" is an absolute priority, Medvedev said. “We will also be protecting the interests of our business community abroad. It should be absolutely clear to everyone that anyone committing an aggression will be repelled," Medvedev said.The fifth principle is Russia's interests in friendly regions. He also added that Russia's recognition of independence South Ossetia and Abkhazia is irreversible.“From the legal view point, the new states have appeared. The process of their recognition may take quite a long time. But this will not change our position in any way. We’ve made our decision irreversibly. It is our duty to provide for peace and order in the region. That’s what we’ll be basing our actions on,” Medvedev said. He said that Moscow's agreements with the two regions envisaged military as well as economic support.Abkhazia to restore air links with Russia. Meanwhile, the Republic of Abkhazia is to restore regular flights between its capital Sukhum and Russia, the head of Sukhum airport told RIA Novosti news agency on Sunday. Last week Russia recognised Abkhazia and South Ossetia as independent states following the Georgia-South Ossetia conflict.President Dmitry Medvedev said the military conflict in South Ossetia had killed every hope for the peaceful co-existence of Ossetians, Abkhazians and Georgians within one state.He also called on the international community to acknowledge the republics:“I signed decrees on the recognition of the independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia by the Russian Federation. Russia calls on other countries to follow its example,” Medvedev said.To watch Dmitry Medvedev's announcement in full, please follow the linkRussia’s message was that it has tolerated enough, watching mutual agreements violated and numerous provocations attempted by the Georgian leadership.With its offensive against South Ossetia, Georgia put an end to the peace talks and the efforts the sides have been working on for almost twenty years.“Given that Mikhail Saakashvili, having put his signature on a modified form of the Moscow principles, continues to ignore them, we are convinced that recognition of South Ossetia and Abkhazia is the only feasible step for the survival and security of these nations,” said Russian Foreign Minister, Sergey Lavrov.Abkhazia and South Ossetia have had de-facto independence from Georgia since the early 90s.When Kosovo unilaterally proclaimed its independence, they thought they had a precedent to defend their cause but they lacked a crucial factor - the support of the U.S. and the EU.“In both cases the centre started the war - Belgrade under Milosevic against Kosovo, and Tbilisi under Gamsakhurdia against Tskhinval and Sukhum. In both cases agreements about the end of hostilities were reached. In both cases peacekeeping forces were deployed. In both cases negotiation mechanisms were created. Since then Belgrade has never questioned these mechanisms or tried to destabilise the region by using force. The international negotiating mechanisms were abolished by the actions of Kosovo’s Albanians and their western supporters,” Lavrov pointed out.As the Georgian military launched an attack against South Ossetia, the U.S. threw its full support behind Georgia and accused Russia of a disproportionate response.NATO is now sending its vessels to the Black Sea to provide humanitarian aid.The U.S. and some NATO members are ready for an anti-Russian coalition.Possible sanctions include not letting Russia into the WTO and boycotting the Winter Olympics 2014 in Sochi.In 1980 the U.S. boycotted the Summer Olympics in Moscow, as a response to the Soviet Union entering Afghanistan to fight the Taliban - the same Taliban that NATO has been fighting since 2001.Russia says the main goal of the recognition is to provide security for its own citizens in the region and the people of South Ossetia and Abkhazia.Moscow had a first-hand promise from Mikhail Saakashvili that he would never use force and a ceasefire agreement, which Georgia violated shelling Tskhinval.With another promise and peace plan in its hands Russia is not taking any more chances.Russia has already initiated procedures to establish diplomatic ties with Abkhazia and South Ossetia, and the Abkhazian Parliament is in favour of signing a wide-ranging cooperation agreement with Russia. Meanwhile, massive celebrations have been held in both newly-recognised republics. South Ossetian and Russian flags flooded the centre of Tskhinval, and in Abkhazia there was firework display in Sukhum.

Analysis by Jay:

Now, why did they invade? This was a multipronged foreign policy adventure. It's goals were numerous and ambitious: the overthrow of President Mikheil Saakashvili, to send a message to neighbors by demonstrating the lethal power of Russian forces, establishment of itself as a major regional and world power through unilateral military action, to protest and threaten the west over the US / Polish missile defense pact, and the annexation of Abkhazia and it's Black Sea access for the Russian Navy which is currently leasing naval bases from an increasingly unfriendly Ukraine.

Russia demonstrated that they are capable of crushing a burgeoning successful democracy with ties to the west while the US and it's allies are busy in Iraq and Afghanistan. Russia is returning to a state run nation that is not friendly to free enterprise or the free market. It would be dangerous to allow a former Soviet bloc nation and member of the CIS to become too successful or grow too close to the West, especially the US and NATO. Russia already fears having NATO next door in Poland and potentially the Ukraine. Also, Russia was unhappy with pro West President Mikheil Saakashvili who would not march to the step of Moscow or Putin.

Russia showed the US that Russia can also use peacekeeping as a reason to invade a sovereign nation. Russia wants to remind the world that they are a major player and still a superpower, even though they have only a regional scope. Their claims of US instigation in Georgia, terrorists in North Ossetia, and defending their troops all fall short of explaining why tanks and major forces conducted a full penetration of the Republic of Georgia. In reality, Russia determined that they must conduct a successful military adventure in order to demonstrate their lethal effectiveness to surrounding CIS nations and an expanding NATO. After years of Afghanistan like conflict with Chechnya, a quick score for the Russian military was necessary for national prestige. It also underscored Russia's willingness to use force to exert it's will throughout the region - a strong message to Ukraine, other CIS republics, and to Poland.

Russia was able to insinuate that Poland could be a target similar to Georgia. Unhappy about American bases and the new missile defense pact, Russia sent a clear message to neighbors that it is still dangerous and unpredictable. Poland received threats of nuclear retaliation for its joining the US in missile defense and by allowing US missiles and several Patriot Missile batteries into its borders. Russia views any missile system from a historical viewpoint. The US had nuclear short range missiles in Turkey until the 1960s, when their removal was used as diplomatic leverage to end the Cuban Missile Crisis. A new missile system, regardless of its defensive nature, brings back fears of the US / Turkish missile bases.

Finally, Russia needed to have direct access to the Black Sea in order to properly command and control its Black Sea Fleet. Prior to the invasion, Russia had no direct access. It leased naval bases from Ukraine, another nation with growing ties to NATO and the west. Russia felt that the growing levels of distrust and tension between Ukraine and Moscow would lead to a loss of bases and the potential homelessness for the Black Sea fleet.

All the previous statements are my opinion and not the opinion of NATO or the US Government.

Jay Burkos