EU raises stakes with Russia, puts Georgia’s occupation into peace negotiations

By Nini Nikoleishvili
February 24, 2026 18:34
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The European Union has formally declared that Russia must withdraw its troops from occupied territories - including those inside Georgia - as part of the conditions for achieving lasting peace in Europe.

The position, confirmed by EU foreign policy chief Kaia Kalas, directly connects Georgia’s territorial integrity to wider negotiations aimed at ending the war in Ukraine and reshaping the continent’s security order.

Kalas said Russia must fulfil its obligations under existing international agreements, which require Moscow to withdraw military forces from territories it occupies. She acknowledged that such demands may appear unrealistic to some, but stressed they are grounded in international law and are necessary for long-term stability.

Her remarks place Georgia alongside other countries where a continued Russian military presence remains a central geopolitical issue.

Troop withdrawal demand applies beyond Ukraine

The EU’s position extends beyond Ukraine to several countries where Russia maintains military deployments, including Moldova, Armenia and Belarus.

In Moldova, Russian troops remain stationed in the separatist Transnistria region. In Georgia, Russian forces have been present in the occupied regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia since the 2008 Russia–Georgia war. Following that conflict, Moscow recognised both territories as independent states, while Georgia and most of the international community continue to regard them as occupied Georgian territory.

Under the EU’s current stance, Russia is expected to withdraw forces not only from Ukrainian territory but also from neighbouring states where its military presence is linked to unresolved conflicts or strategic influence.

This reflects a broader European assessment that Russia’s forward military presence beyond its internationally recognised borders remains one of the main sources of instability in Eastern Europe and the South Caucasus.

Russia’s military footprint in the region

Russia’s military presence in these regions is not recent. In Moldova, Russian troops have remained since the early 1990s, despite Moscow’s commitments at the 1999 OSCE summit to withdraw them. In Armenia, Russia operates a military base in Gyumri under a bilateral agreement, reinforcing its traditional security role in the South Caucasus.

Belarus has become even more strategically important to Moscow since 2022, when Russian forces used Belarusian territory as a staging ground for the invasion of Ukraine. Since then, Russia has expanded military co-operation and deployments there, including joint exercises and deeper infrastructure integration.

In Georgia, the continued stationing of Russian forces in Abkhazia and South Ossetia represents one of the most visible examples of Moscow’s long-term military positioning beyond its borders.

These deployments allow Russia to project power, influence regional security developments and maintain leverage in political negotiations involving neighbouring countries and Western institutions.

Georgia as part of Europe’s wider security agenda

Despite political tensions in recent years between Georgian authorities and EU institutions, Brussels continues to include Georgia in its strategic security considerations.

The Georgian government, led by the ruling Georgian Dream party, has at times criticised EU officials and policies, particularly regarding domestic political developments. At the same time, Georgian officials say they would welcome tangible progress that leads to the withdrawal of Russian forces from Georgian territory.

Georgian Dream MP Irakli Kadagishvili says that if international efforts result in concrete steps towards de-occupation, it would be a positive outcome for the country.

This reflects a dual reality. On one hand, Georgia seeks to maintain sovereignty and political independence in its decision-making. On the other, the continued presence of Russian troops within its internationally recognised borders keeps security cooperation with European partners highly relevant.

Withdrawal seen as a condition for lasting peace

The EU’s position is based on the principle that lasting peace cannot be achieved unless Russia respects the sovereignty and territorial integrity of neighbouring states.

Kalas stated clearly that Russia’s military presence in occupied territories remains a core obstacle to long-term stability. The EU has also linked troop withdrawal to broader conditions, including compliance with international law and a reduction in military pressure on neighbouring countries.

This approach reflects the EU’s growing role as a geopolitical actor, particularly as European leaders seek to ensure that future security arrangements address not only Ukraine but the wider region.

For Georgia, this means its territorial integrity is now directly tied to discussions shaping Europe’s future security framework.  

Uncertain outcome and shifting strategy

While Kalas acknowledged that demanding Russian troop withdrawal may appear unrealistic in the current geopolitical climate, the EU’s formal position also reflects the dynamics of ongoing negotiations, in which parties often present maximalist demands.

By including Georgia alongside Ukraine and other affected states, the EU signals that Russian military deployments beyond its borders form part of the wider security discussion. However, this does not necessarily mean withdrawal is imminent.

Whether the diplomatic position will translate into concrete action remains unclear. References to Georgia may serve both as a response to Russia’s own negotiating positions and as a reminder of unresolved security challenges in Europe. At the same time, Georgia’s inclusion underlines its continued strategic relevance in European security calculations, reinforcing its geopolitical importance despite uncertainty over practical outcomes.

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EU European Union Kaja Kallas Georgia Russia
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