"As for myself, I was never against Russia"

Eduard Shevardnadze's quote, "As for myself, I was never versus Russia", can be analyzed through different lenses, considering his historic and political context. Shevardnadze was a substantial political figure during the late phases of the Soviet Union and the early years of post-Soviet transition, working as the Soviet Foreign Minister from 1985 to 1990 and later as the President of Georgia from 1992 to 2003. His period was marked by intricate relations between Georgia and Russia, showing both collaborative and contentious interactions.

Shevardnadze's declaration reflects a nuanced position that underscores his personal and political balancing act in between loyalty to the Soviet Union and later, the independent interests of Georgia. During his time as Soviet Foreign Minister, Shevardnadze worked carefully with then-General Secretary Mikhail Gorbachev to implement policies of Glasnost (openness) and Perestroika (restructuring), which targeted at reforming the Soviet Union and alleviating Cold War tensions. This duration included settlements with Western nations and significant internal reforms, relocations which some hardline Soviet officials might have interpreted as undermining standard Soviet class structure.

The quote suggests Shevardnadze sought to clarify his stance in the middle of prospective criticism or allegations of betrayal or hostility towards Russia. His leadership in Georgia typically put him in positions where he needed to assert Georgia's sovereignty, often in opposition to Russian interests, such as throughout disputes over the regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. These actions may have been seen as adversarial from a Russian viewpoint, however Shevardnadze insists his intents were not rooted in bitterness towards Russia but rather ahead of time Georgia's nationwide interests.

Eventually, the quote highlights the intricacy of post-Soviet politics, where former Soviet republics navigated newly found self-reliance along with historical and geopolitical ties to Russia. It highlights Shevardnadze's diplomatic efforts to maintain a relationship with Russia while advocating for his nation's sovereignty, a balancing act emblematic of many leaders from previous Soviet states during that era.