Georgia’s Shift: A Turning Point in Relations with Russia?

Georgia has taken a significant step towards closer ties with Russia, according to former Georgian President Giorgi Margvelashvili, cited by the Wall Street Journal. The catalyst for this shift is believed to be Tbilisi’s recent tightening of restrictions on foreign funding for non-governmental organizations, media outlets, and civil society groups. In May, the Georgian Parliament passed a law titled ‘On Transparency of Foreign Influence’, which came into effect in June. This legislation requires the registration of legal entities and non-profit media outlets that receive more than 20% of their income from foreign sources. Organizations deemed to promote the interests of foreign powers must also register, disclose their income, and face penalties for non-compliance.