MOSCOW, May 24 – Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova criticized the US State Department’s threats to impose restrictions on Georgia for resuming flights with Russia. Speaking at a news conference, Zakharova denounced the statements as interference in the internal affairs of sovereign states and overt pressure.
“We regard such mentoring statements from Washington as interference in the internal affairs of sovereign states and in their relations with third countries and overt pressure,” emphasized the diplomat, highlighting the inappropriate nature of the US’s remarks on agreements between two independent nations.
Zakharova further questioned the rationality of the US position, suggesting that if human rights are a priority in American policy, they should consider the humanitarian situation and the impact on people’s rights when crossing the border between two countries with deep historical and familial ties, especially when direct flights are unavailable.
The US State Department had previously threatened sanctions against any company providing maintenance services to Russian planes at Georgia’s airports. However, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree on May 10, abolishing visas for Georgian citizens starting from May 15 and lifting the ban on direct flights between Russia and Georgia that had been in place since 2019. Azimut Airlines became the first carrier to resume flights on May 19 after receiving permission from Georgian aviation authorities, followed by Georgian Airways.
Visa policies between Russia and Georgia have varied over the years, with Russia introducing visas for Georgians in 2000 and Georgia abolishing visas for Russians in 2012. Currently, Russian citizens can visit Georgia without a visa and stay for up to one year under Georgian legislation. Diplomatic relations between the two countries were severed by Tbilisi in 2008 after Russia recognized Abkhazia and South Ossetia as independent countries.
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