the women seemed to understand what Russian imperialism has always been about—and not just during the Soviet era

Georgians still honour Joseph Stalin. If it weren’t for Stalin South Ossetia would never have been Georgian territory in the first place. If it weren’t for the Ukrainian Krushchev Crimea (with a Russian majority) would not be in Ukraine. So many of these supposedly anti-communist nations insist on keeping the borders they were rewarded with under communism. Ditto the Croatians and parts of Krajina.

You can’t have it both ways. If you’re going to claim your nation suffered under a form of Russian colonialism in the Soviet Union you can’t then turn around and claim the extended borders given to your nation whilst the USSR still existed are somehow sacred.

I understand why there wasn’t a redrawing of borders after the collapse of the USSR – it would’ve been chaotic and bloody – but the borders are not just. More importantly they are planted mines that will go off some day in the future. Who could argue that South Ossetians should be forced to live under Georgian rule just because of where Stalin drew lines on a map?

With the US setting a precedent in Kosovo I suppose it is too much to hope for some internationally accepted procedure and conditions for redrawing borders. What state will voluntarily give up some its territory? Unfortunately, none is the likely answer.