Daniel Fried, former Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian affairs, believes “it is quite possible that the Russian-controlled regime in Tskhinvali will decide to seek annexation by Russia.”

“I don’t think the s0-called leaders, the people in Tskhinvali will be saying anything like this without permission. I think this is quite possible. I think they [Russians] want to annex a lot of Ukrainian and Georgian territory to show he [Putin] is the worthy successor of Peter the Great, reassembling the Russian empire,” American diplomat told GPB First Channel.

Daniel Fried says the Georgian government has been “very cautious” in supporting Ukraine. “And I understand that it feels itself to be vulnerable but it is important that Georgia’s strength is in a democracy which is the bases of its sovereignty,” he stated.

Former Assistant secretary stressed that “the US supports Georgia because Georgia wants to be a free country.”

“There is not that much interest in supporting the country which is sliding back into authoritarianism. Georgian democracy is what attracts the US. Yes, Georgia has some important geography, I mean the transit, pipelines, and all the rest of them, but Georgia’s best case for itself is that it is part of wider Europe and should be treated as the part of wider Europe. I think Georgia is part of the wider Europe and should have a chance to join the institutions of Europe,” he underscored.