Russia claims EU policy 'stumbled' over Georgia after Tbilisi shift

Mikhail Kalugin, director of the Fourth Department of CIS countries at Russia's Foreign Ministry, said the European Union's isolation policy toward Russia has "stumbled over Georgia," according to Civil.ge.

Kalugin suggested that "pragmatism prevailed" in Tbilisi, implying Georgia has moved away from strict EU alignment. The remarks reflect Russian assessment that EU leverage in the South Caucasus has diminished.

Georgia's recent policies have increasingly sparked concern among EU member states, who fear the country is drifting toward Russian influence despite its stated European integration goals.