A big part of this thiung, in addition to flexing muscles, sending messages, and potnentially getting the oil, is Russia ensuring that they have that foothold and big buffer around that tunnel which allows them to sit their with a poised dagger over the Gerogian capitol.
They will move to have independence for that province, and for the other one on the coast. That one gives them an un-opposed landing place that side of the mountains on the Georgian coast and allwos them to cut the country in half.
In order to counter that, Georgia needs to be a part of NATO, the Georgian military needs serious upgrading, and there needs to be NATO or US bases in the country as a trip wire and buffer against Russian agression.
Thanks.