At the "Shield of Democracy" forum in Brussels, Georgia's fifth president, Salome Zurabishvili, stated that Russia's strategy against her country is based on the use of democratic instruments. She believes Moscow is using the media, social media, and elections to undermine the state from within.

"The fact is, we didn't see what was actually developing. From the very beginning, we overlooked certain signs that looked like autocratic tendencies—something that can be attributed to any government seeking to hold on to power longer than society desires. And then suddenly you see that everything completely aligns with the messages that have been spreading from Russia to various countries. And then you realize that these aren't just local autocrats trying to maintain power for money or privileges—it's part of a broader strategy," the politician shared.

Zurabishvili notes that the situation described was a stage "that the European Union either saw too late or failed to see in time." Emphasizing the EU's responsibility for the fate of the state it "returned to the greater European family," she drew a parallel with Ukraine. The former president emphasized that if "they [Russian authorities] do this where it's relatively easy, in a small country like Georgia, then countering it here is much easier than, for example, fighting it in Ukraine."

"Working against hybrid warfare requires the European Union to coordinate more, create agencies, and allocate financial resources, because this next war isn't a military one; it doesn't come with tanks. We essentially no longer have strong opposition television channels or free media platforms, and they all face serious difficulties. Of course, there's a risk that one day, similar to the Iranian model, everything could be completely shut down. However, until that happens, as long as society is alive, there's always the chance to try something new," Zurabishvili stated.