高加索地區為俄羅斯南面的安全屏障，然而1991年獨立後不斷親西的格魯吉亞使俄羅斯無論在安全及在維持前蘇聯時代的勢力範圍上都受到威脅。俄羅斯為了保住本身勢力範圍，不得不拉攏格魯吉亞。格魯吉亞內部的阿布哈茲共和國（Абхазия）與南奧塞梯自治州（Южная Осетия）一直有很嚴重的民族問題，他們希望脫離格魯吉亞成為獨立國家。民族問題原本為國內問題，但往往因為大國間的利益衝突而成為兩國間博弈的籌碼。俄羅斯反對北約的東擴，格魯吉亞則一心一意想加入北約，加入西方陣營，俄羅斯則以受格魯吉亞威脅為由，對格魯吉亞進行反擊。雙方你來我往，總是圍繞著阿布哈茲與南奧塞梯的問題爭論不休。而格魯吉亞內部的民族問題自其獨立迄今，不僅沒有緩和的趨勢反而越演越烈，加上2008年2月科索沃宣布獨立，連帶使得阿布哈茲與南奧塞梯更積極向國際爭取獨立，造成俄格關係更加緊張。由此可見，阿布哈茲與南奧塞梯的民族問題牽動著俄羅斯與格魯吉亞間的關係。本文將從民族問題的角度來探討兩國間的外交關係與未來走向。 A part of Georgia, Caucasus region is regarded by Russia as its southern security barrier. Since 1991, however, Georgia has been affiliated with NATO, which has led Russia to see this as a threat of its safety and the influence on Soviet-controlled areas. On the one hand, Russia needs Georgia’s support to keep its influence; on the other hand, however, Russia needs to take measures to counteract Georgia’s affiliation with NATO. Since its independence, Georgia has faced serious ethnic problems. After Kosovo’s independence in February 2008, Abkhazia and South Ossetia, another two regions of Georgia, have been more eager for the independence movement, which creates more conflicts between Russia and Georgia. The aim of this essay is to discuss the diplomatic relations between Russia and Georgia and their future from Abkhazia and South Ossetia''s ethnic problems.
