NATO chief says alliance "not naive" about developments in Georgia

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said the Alliance remains deeply concerned about political developments in Georgia, stressing that the situation must be viewed within the wider dynamics of the South Caucasus.

In an interview with Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Rutte reaffirmed that Georgia continues to hold the status of a NATO aspirant.

“Any country in the Euro-Atlantic area that wants NATO membership can express that desire, and then the process begins,” he noted.

Rutte underlined that the Alliance is closely monitoring events in Georgia and maintains open communication with Tbilisi.

“Of course, I am not naive about what is happening in Georgia. We are very concerned. We have clearly communicated this to the Georgians,” he said.

He added that engagement with Georgia remains essential for maintaining a transparent dialogue. “We are cooperating with them. I think this cooperation serves the purpose of having a channel through which we can clearly express our concerns.”

Rutte urged observers to interpret Georgia’s trajectory in a broader regional context, pointing to shifting dynamics in neighbouring states.

“Let’s look at all of this a bit more holistically, because Georgia is one thing, but we also see what is happening between Armenia and Azerbaijan, which is in a much better state thanks to what President Trump is doing. Therefore, I would view Georgia in the broader context of the entire South Caucasus,” he said.

By Aghakazim Guliyev