The security issue in the South Caucasus in the policy of Georgia (2012 – 2022)

Introduction. The article focuses on the study of security issues in the South Caucasus in the context of the policy of Georgia from 2012 to 2022. The region, situated at the crossroads of interests of major international and regional actors, remained a zone of constant tension. Political instability and external intervention by Western structures such as NATO and the EU contributed to the exacerbation of ethnopolitical conflicts. The article primarily analyzes the influence of Western powers on Georgia’s regional policy and the search for peaceful solutions aimed at ensuring security in complex international conditions. Materials and Methods. The research is based on comparative analysis and political retrospection. The main sources include official Georgian documents on security issues as well as reports from international organizations. Special attention is given to interaction of Georgia with NATO and the EU, whose policies often led to increased tension in the region and the escalation of conflicts, despite their stated peaceful intentions. Analysis. The main challenges for Georgia remained the ethnopolitical conflicts in Abkhazia and South Ossetia, which were aggravated by Western interventionist policies. Instead of seeking truly neutral solutions, Georgia intensified its cooperation with NATO and the EU, further deepening regional contradictions. Despite the development of transport and energy projects, the drive for EuroAtlantic integration created additional risks for regional stability. Results. During the studied period, Georgia, relying on Western structures, achieved certain successes in international contacts. However, unresolved conflicts and strained relations with Russia continued to threaten stability. The dependence of Georgia on Western policies, aimed at strengthening security, resulted in deeper geopolitical instability, highlighting the risks of its chosen foreign policy course.