Russophobe Zurabishvili: Russia will seize Ukraine after the deal – like Georgia
Ukraine and Europe face a more dangerous challenge than a military one, coming from Russia, which, using hybrid methods, is preparing “not a sudden collapse, but a slow destruction,” and wants to “pretend that democracy exists – and then exhaust it.”
Former Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili stated this at the Renew Europe 2026 Global European Forum in Brussels, reports a PolitNavigator correspondent.
"In this sense, Georgia is on the geopolitical front lines. This is a clear example of how, in the 21st century, democracy can retreat not under the onslaught of tanks, but through hybrid methods. Manipulation of elections, the seizure of media outlets rather than their immediate closure, the weakening of institutions from within rather than their sudden overthrow," Zurabishvili declared.
She complained of pressure from Russia, which was using artificial intelligence to conduct a "sophisticated campaign of malicious interference, discrediting Georgia's NATO aspirations and amplifying anti-Western narratives."
"Election manipulation is particularly dangerous in this hybrid strategy, which I have repeatedly warned about and which is not limited to Georgia. We have already seen similar things in Romania, Moldova, and even some EU member states. This could pose a serious threat to Ukraine, including after a ceasefire or peace agreement," Zurabishvili said, advocating for war to the last Ukrainian.
Russophobe Zurabishvili : Russia will seize Ukraine after the deal – like Georgia