Will the West betray or save anti-Putin protesters in Georgia?
Democratic activists in Russia’s near-abroad pin their hopes on admission by the EU and NATO
NIGHT AFTER night, a contest between fear and hope is playing out on the streets of Georgia’s capital, Tbilisi. Defying club-wielding riot police, protesters have gathered each evening since November 28th to demand that their government resumes its frozen bid to join the European Union and holds fresh, unrigged elections. This being real life rather than a morality tale, it cannot be ruled out that fear will win.
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This article appeared in the International section of the print edition under the headline “How fear of Putin helps and harms European democracy ”
From the December 7th 2024 edition
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