Former Royal Navy Commodore Steven Jermy: opening second front against Russia would be military suicide for Georgia

Former Royal Navy Commodore Steven Jermy on Friday said that opening a second front against Russia would be “military suicide” for Georgia and advised the country to resist European pressure to impose sanctions or escalate confrontation.

In his interview with Imedi TV, Jermy noted that Russia currently possesses one of the world’s most experienced armed forces due to the combat experience gained by its troops during the war in Ukraine.

“The Russian army, in my professional assessment, is currently the most effective armed force in the world. Russia has not deployed its entire force in Ukraine. We are talking about approximately 700,000 soldiers, and these forces are being rotated across the front lines. This means that divisions and brigades in the Russian army are gaining combat experience. As a result, you would have to face the most experienced armed forces in the world today. The second battle-tested army belongs to Ukraine. However, they are being slowly, but steadily, destroyed by the Russian army”, Jermy said.

He argued that Georgia would face an exceptionally powerful and experienced military force if it opened a second front.

“Opening a second front would be military suicide for Georgia. As for sanctions, we must remember that the sanctions are not international. They have been imposed by a number of states, and they have had very little impact. What is this now - the twentieth round of sanctions? And what changes have they brought about in the Russian economy? Very little”, he noted.

“Back in 2022, I called these sanctions a boomerang. They weaken those who impose them. The sanctions have caused far greater damage to Europe than to Russia. Great caution is needed, and I would not even consider imposing sanctions on Russia. On the contrary, the United States and Europe should lift the sanctions imposed on Russia, as should everyone else. These sanctions have no justification under international law; there is no relevant resolution of the UN General Assembly or the Security Council”, he stressed.

He further advised Georgia to maintain economic relations with both Europe and Russia and resist pressure to impose sanctions.

“These sanctions are a European instrument that causes significant damage to the European economy. In Georgia’s case, it is important to look toward all sides. This is my advice: you must resist European pressure. The European Union is particularly keen to sacrifice other states to [advance] its own objectives against Russia. My advice is to stay well away from sanctions. I recommend that you maintain healthy economic ties with both sides. Be a good trading partner for both sides. You must deal with European pressure”, Jermy concluded.