Political analysts associate Russia's statements about NATO with loss of influence on Georgia

The sharp Russian politicians' statements about Georgia's accession to NATO are Russia's attempt to preserve its influence in the region, political analysts believe. Tbilisi has stated the need to ensure the country's security.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on July 11, the NATO member-states confirmed the decision taken in 2008 that Georgia will become a member of the Alliance. The Georgia's accession to NATO can lead to a "terrible conflict," Dmitry Medvedev, the Russian Prime Minister, have stated.

In his interview to the "Kommersant" newspaper, he recalled that Georgia "has an unresolved territorial conflict," and Abkhazia and South Ossetia are "independent states, friendly to Russia, where Russian military bases are located."

Georgy Volsky, the Vice Speaker of the Georgian Parliament, has pointed out that Georgia is a small country and needs security guarantees.

Irakli Menagarishvili, an expert of the Centre for Strategic Studies, treats a threat to Georgia as unlikely, since "Russia can't take decisions by disregarding the reaction of the world community."

With accession to NATO, Georgia will get out of Russia's influence, said Kakha Gogolashvili, the head of the Institute for Strategic and International Studies.

When Georgia joins NATO, there will be no conflict with Russia, Mamuka Zhgenti, a representative of the NGO "Georgian Institute of European Values", is certain.