Abstract. Following the extensive biographical material, the article explores characteristics of educational backgrounds of the Georgian ruling elite. The defeat of the M. Saakashvili's party in the 2012 elections did not change its qualitative characteristics. A significant part of the Georgian ruling elite received education in Western universities in the field of law, international relations etc., which formed a critical attitude towards Russia. The Georgian ruling elite has established educational standards for its members, and in every new government – no matter which political course is proclaimed – these standards are becoming more dominant. The author has also concluded that education in Western universities and practical activities in Western NGOs are the means used by the elite to form the anti-Russian attitude, and for the West it is a mechanism of the Georgian elite incorporation in its sphere of influence. The author argues that Russian universities are not competitive and attractive for the Georgian elite at present. The qualitative analysis of its educational background explains the nature of Georgia–Russia relations to some extent. It is concluded that a significant difference in educational backgrounds of the Russian and Georgian ruling elites dooms them to serious contradictions. At the same time, the author suggests that owing to the activity of the West, the future elites in other republics of the former USSR will also focus on the Western education.