Partly in response to the potential expansion of NATO , Russia initiated the 2008 Russo - Georgian diplomatic crisis by lifting CIS sanctions on Abkhazia and South Ossetia .
However , Georgia 's potential membership in NATO ran into opposition from other NATO members and Russia .
Partly in response to the potential expansion of NATO , Russia initiated the 2008 Russo - Georgia diplomatic crisis by lifting CIS sanctions on Abkhazia and South Ossetia .
However , Georgia 's potential membership in NATO ran into opposition from other NATO members and Russia .