Jeffrey Sachs expresses strong impression after meeting with Georgian Prime Minister, praises realistic assessment

Renowned economist and global affairs expert Professor Jeffrey Sachs said on Wednesday that he was highly impressed by his meeting with Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze.

In an interview with Imedi TV, Sachs described Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze as highly intelligent and said he greatly enjoyed their conversation, noting that he heard a realistic and accurate assessment of the current situation.

The host noted that Russia’s war against Ukraine had fundamentally reshaped the geopolitical landscape, arguing that the previous security architecture and rules-based international order had effectively ceased to exist. He then asked Sachs how he would characterise the current state of international relations and assess Georgia’s efforts to pursue a multi-vector foreign policy, recalling that he had recently met with the Prime Minister to discuss the ruling party’s vision for the country.

Sachs said the world was undergoing a far-reaching transformation that extended well beyond the war in Ukraine.

“The security architecture in this highly complex region must be rebuilt from the ground up. Twenty years ago, the United States had a strategy that envisioned NATO’s expansion into Ukraine and Georgia. Washington also believed it effectively controlled the Middle East. In my view, all of those assumptions proved to be mistaken”, the Professor noted.

“First of all, Russia rejected NATO’s expansion into Ukraine and Georgia. Frankly, this is understandable - not necessarily from the perspective of Ukraine or Georgia, but from Russia’s point of view. If Russia were to announce that it intended to establish military bases in Mexico or even Canada, the United States would react with great anger. It does not want Russian military bases near its borders. I believe the United States likewise should not seek military alliances close to Russia because such confrontation between major powers is extremely dangerous”, Sachs continued.

He further noted that another major shift had taken place simultaneously.

“Twenty years ago, many people - particularly American leaders - believed the United States was all-powerful, the world’s only superpower, that Russia was weak, and that China, despite its large population, was not yet a major power. Today, no one can seriously make that argument”, Sachs said.

“The current reality tells us that, above all, a new security architecture is needed - one that ensures major powers do not come into direct confrontation with one another”, the Professor added.

He stressed that such an architecture does not currently exist, making the war in Ukraine particularly dangerous.

“In my opinion, the war in Ukraine remains dangerous because, although the United States wants to step back, European countries say they will support Ukraine for as long as necessary. The rhetoric and escalation between Russia and Europe are reaching dangerous levels. The situation is becoming increasingly tense because, with British, French and German support, Ukraine is directing military drones at Moscow. This causes enormous irritation”, Sachs noted.

“President Zelenskyy is intensifying his rhetoric, and Russia will respond forcefully. What concerns me is the language of escalation coming from Europe. I believe it is disconnected from reality, just as the earlier American belief that Russia could be defeated was. Russia is not going to collapse as some European leaders expect”, he continued.

Sachs expressed the view that it was time to return to the negotiating table, noting that this applied to both Europe and Russia, between whom diplomacy had virtually disappeared.

“It also applies to your region - a region that is both deeply admired and highly complex. Diplomacy is essential for the security of the South Caucasus and Russia”, he said.

“I believe NATO membership is a very bad and highly provocative idea. A different security architecture is needed - one that prevents confrontation between major powers in the region and does not force countries to choose between the United States and Russia or confront the opposing side”, the Professor added.

He expressed the view that the Georgian government understands this very well.

“This is not an easy environment. Great caution is required. These challenges will not disappear through some magical solution. Europe will not save everyone, nor will the United States resolve the situation. The only way forward is through negotiations among the countries of the region - Georgia, Azerbaijan, Armenia and Russia - to find an appropriate solution, naturally with the participation of other major neighbouring states, including Iran and Turkey. That is the approach I would support”, Sachs concluded.