Georgia's No-Show at Ankara NATO Summit Signals Deepening Rift with Alliance
Georgia did not send any representatives to the 2026 NATO summit in Ankara, underscoring a widening gap between the country and the alliance amid concerns over democratic backsliding.
Dozens of heads of state, defense ministers and experts convened in Ankara for the 2026 NATO summit, focusing on spending, industrial capacity and support for Ukraine, but Georgia was not represented, marking the first absence since the alliance’s 2008 outreach. The NATO-Georgia Commission and a liaison office, established a decade ago, have since seen their engagement wane, with the summit declaration omitting any reference to the country.
Experts like Eto Buziashvili and former officials Levan Dolidze and Tinatin Khidasheli argue that the ruling Georgian Dream’s authoritarian consolidation, anti-Western rhetoric and alignment with Russian interests have stalled political integration. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte expressed “highly worried” about democratic backsliding, and the 2025 NATO Annual Report noted a reprioritisation of cooperation after the 2024 parliamentary elections.
Nevertheless, Georgia participated in the U.S.-led Trojan Footprint exercise and other joint drills, indicating that defense interoperability remains intact. Domestic opposition protests continue, with polls showing strong public support for NATO and EU membership, while observers await whether Georgia will reverse its course or further distance itself from the alliance.
Why it matters
Georgia's exclusion from the summit highlights shifting security dynamics in a volatile region and raises questions about NATO's future partnerships.
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