MOSCOW. Aug 8 (Interfax-AVN) - Russia's preservation of its positions in the South Caucasus and the security of its neighbors was the main result of the conflict that occurred in South Ossetia three years ago, First Vice-President of the Center for Political Technologies Alexei Makarkin told Interfax.
"Russia retained its positions in the region through the peace enforcement operation vs. Georgia. Moscow and South Ossetia would have faced unpredictable and dramatic consequences otherwise," he said.
The firmness of Russia in the deterrence of the Georgian aggression led to the optimal solution of the regional security problem. "There is certain progress in the security issue; they no longer shoot [in the region]," he said.
Russia had no other choice in the events of 2008. "Could we do anything else? Could we leave and let Saakashvili unleash another conflict?" he said.
Another result of the conflict was that NATO became less enthusiastic about the admission of Georgia. "When the alliance admitted the Poles, the Czechs, the Hungarians, the Slovaks and other East Europeans, it was perfectly aware that they would not fight their neighbors. It is rather difficult to imagine Georgia with such problems as an official ally," Makarkin said.
Three years after its defeat in the South Caucasian conflict, the Saakashvili regime is doing its best to impede the Russian accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO). "Georgia is trying to prevent Russia from joining that organization. Certainly, that is a disadvantage. However, the West wants the soonest entry of Russia into the WTO. So, it may put pressure on Tbilisi if it wishes," he said.