Russia has stepped into the vacuum, increasing its presence by opening Georgian-language outlets of its state-owned news network, and deepening investments in the energy industry and other key sectors.

The former Soviet nation’s leaders are warning that Russia may yet prevail if Georgia is shut out from Western organizations. Wary of further provoking Russia, Western leaders have quashed talk of NATO and the EU expanding eastward.

TBILISI, Georgia — In this fiercely pro-Western nation that fought a brief war with Russia in 2008, few thought the Kremlin could regain a toehold. But with the West backing away from Georgia’s path to European Union and NATO membership after a year of conflict in Ukraine, pro-Russian sentiments are on the rise.


Similar movements are happening in other former Eastern bloc nations trapped between Russia and the West.

‘‘Stability and security cannot be maintained with this paradigm, with Russia’s paradigm of having special rights towards other countries,’’ said Georgia’s president, Giorgi Margvelashvili, in an interview.

‘‘Russia is working pretty actively, not only in Georgia, but all around the world,’’ to expand its influence, he said. Despite the growing Russian presence, Georgia remains committed to eventual membership in NATO and the EU, he said.

The germ of the present conflict between Russia and the West lies in an EU offer of closer ties with Ukraine, and Russian leader Vladimir Putin’s infuriated reaction.

EU leaders squabbled at a summit last month before deciding against offering even the faintest prospects for membership to Georgia, Ukraine, and Moldova. They also delayed plans to ease visa rules for Georgian travelers. Their caution stemmed from a desire not to inspire a backlash from Russia, diplomats involved said.

Many here say Russia has outmaneuvered the West.

‘‘The Russians are working to dominate this part of the world. They calculate, they plan, and they know this region much better than the Europeans and Americans,’’ said Tedo Japaridze, chairman of the Georgian Parliament’s foreign relations committee.


But there is also a sense that Georgia has little to show for its long westward push.

‘‘More and more Georgians are feeling they haven’t gotten anything tangible from the West,’’ said Shorena Shaverdashvili, a prominent Georgian journalist. ‘‘There isn’t more love for Putin and Russia. It’s just a realization that we’re left face-to-face with Russia and we have to deal with it.’’