Abolition of visas, resumption of flights between Georgia, Russia is unfriendly step towards Ukraine and entire civilized world – Georgian MP

He made the statement on Espreso TV.

The member of the Georgian parliament commented on the decree of Russian President Vladimir Putin on the abolition of the visa regime for Georgian citizens from May 15, 2023, and the resumption of flights by Russian airlines to Georgian airports.

"As you know, Putin has signed a decree on visa-free travel for Georgian citizens, and that Russian airlines will be able to fly to Georgian airports without hindrance. In this regard, the Georgian president's statement was quite sharp and timely, but he is unable to change anything because the state is run by a government that is under the full control of pro-Russian oligarch Ivanishvili. On May 10, the Georgian Foreign Minister also reacted, saying that he welcomed the decision by Putin and Russia, explaining that a million Georgians live in Russia, and that such changes would make it easier for them to travel between the two countries. However, this is absolute disingenuousness and does not correspond to reality," Koba Nakopia emphasized.

Nakopia noted that according to all statistical data, about 450,000 ethnic Georgians live in Georgia, many of whom have dual citizenship of Russia and Georgia, and the announced million citizens is several times higher than the figure.

"However, this was done to tell Georgians that they are the ones who are supposedly getting a better life. In fact, this was done against the background of Georgia's attempts to become an EU candidate and the fact that it is awaiting a decision in the fall, that an arrest warrant has been issued for Putin and that Russia has been declared a terrorist country, so to welcome Russia's abolition of the visa regime and to facilitate the resumption of air travel is an unfriendly step towards Ukraine and the global civilized community," said the Georgian MP.

• On May 11, Russian leader Vladimir Putin signed a decree according to which the visa regime for Georgian citizens will cease to be valid from May 15, 2023.