WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — Tensions between Russia and Georgia escalated in 2008 when Georgia launched a military offensive against the breakaway republics of South Ossetia and Abkhazia, resulting in a five-day war with Russia.
"It has become absolutely clear that there is no partnership to be expected from Russia, [no] reliable, predictable partnership," Khidasheli said at the US Institute of Peace in Washington, DC.
Khidasheli explained that after the 2008 conflict, "Russia was considered as a partner again."
However, she pointed to alleged Russian involvement in the conflict in Ukraine as the key reason why there is no "illusion Russia could be a partner in any way."
Moscow has denied military involvement in the Ukraine conflict and has played a critical role in attempts to broker a ceasefire in the ongoing civil conflict.
Following the outbreak of conflict in Ukraine, NATO extended security assistance to Georgia under the European Reassurance Initiative. Georgia is currently seeking membership to NATO as soon as the upcoming July 2016 Warsaw Summit.
