a trial of an american basketball star on drug charges has opened in russia. the kremlin has denied their detention is motivated by tensions over ukraine. now on bbc news it s time for global questions. hello, i m zeinab badawi. welcome to this edition of global questions from tbilisi, the capital of georgia. this country neighbours russia and there s a lot of concern here that moscow s invasion of ukraine could trigger putin s ambitions to try to control other parts of the former soviet union, like georgia. after all, just north of here are two russian backed separatist enclaves in georgia. in this programme, we ll be looking at what it s like to live in moscow s shadow and ask how real is putin s dream of a new imperialist russia? welcome to the magnificent garden hall in tbilisi. i m joined by a top panel from across the region who are going to be answering questions from our local audience here. but before they do that, let us give you this brief overview of why people
and ask how real is putin s dream of a new imperialist russia? welcome to the magnificent garden hall in tbilisi. i m joined by a top panel from across the region who are going to be answering questions from our local audience here. but before they do that, let us give you this brief overview of why people in former soviet republics like georgia and moldova are feeling a bit vulnerable after putin s invasion of ukraine. georgia is probably the most exposed country in the world to russian aggression. moscow has troops stationed about 30km from where i m standing here in the heart of the capital, tbilisi. 1a years ago, russia gave military support to separatists in two regions, south ossetia and abkhazia. there was a five day war between these separatists and georgian forces in which hundreds died and thousands were displaced. moscow recognises both south ossetia and abkhazia as independent republics and is believed to keep thousands of troops there, much like the pro russian t
of why people in former soviet republics like georgia and moldova are feeling a bit vulnerable after putin s invasion of ukraine. georgia is probably the most exposed country in the world to russian aggression. moscow has troops stationed about 30km from where i m standing here in the heart of the capital, tbilisi. 1a years ago, russia gave military support to separatists in two regions, south ossetia and abkhazia. there was a five day war between these separatists and georgian forces in which hundreds died and thousands were displaced. moscow recognises both south ossetia and abkhazia as independent republics and is believed to keep thousands of troops there, much like the pro russian territory of transnistria in moldova. these are among europe s frozen conflicts, and there are fears that as long as the war continues in ukraine, especially in the breakaway republics of donetsk and luhansk, there ll be a risk of escalation. is president putin trying to build a new iron curtai
Through an open letter, Access Now and over 20 Russian and international civil society organizations are urging YouTube and its parent company Google to not help the Kremlin censor Russian independent media and human rights organizations.