Sergei Blagov writes on the possibly of colder relations with Russia after Zhvania’s death.

Russian analysts and media outlets believe the death of Georgian Prime Minister Zurab Zhvania could have significant repercussions for bilateral relations between Russia and Georgia, as well as for stability within Georgia itself.

Official statements out of the Kremlin since Zhvania????????s February 3 death have emphasized the political leader????????s moderation and responsibility. ÄFor background see the Eurasia Insight archiveÅ. Russian President Vladimir Putin praised Zhvania as a champion of “friendly and good-neighborly relations” between Russia and Georgia. Russian Transportation Minister Igor Levitin, who headed Russia????????s delegation to Zhvania????????s February 6 funeral in Tbilisi, described the late prime minister as “a responsible politician, who advocated the development of economic ties between Georgia and Russia.” In remarks following the prime minister????????s death, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov confirmed plans to visit Georgia in mid-February for talks on a bilateral treaty, military issues and border delimitation, and emphasized that Russia “is sincerely interested in good relations with Georgia.”

But in Zhvania????????s absence, Russian political analysts are now forecasting that relations may experience a chill in the near future. The departure of Zhvania, who was seen in Moscow as an advocate of compromise, could enhance the influence of hawkish nationalists within the Georgian government. In addition, Russian officials saw Zhvania as a counterweight to Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili, who during his administration has occasionally acted and spoken impulsively.

“Zhvania was more predictable than the Georgian president,” the pro-government Duma deputy Konstantin Zatulin, head of the Commonwealth of Independent States Institute, told RIA Novosti on February 3. “I do not rule out that Saakashvili may launch some shady scheme that Zhvania most likely would have opposed,” he told the news agency Interfax.

This is kind of “duh” at this point. But for anyone who doesn’t know what is going on here, this is a great article to fill you in. Much more insight than you can get from normal news articles.