Influx of Russians “a risk” in all aspects - Professor Gobronidze

Influx of Russians “a risk” in all aspects - Professor Gobronidze

The influx of Russian nationals in Georgia carries risks in all aspects because our country lacks resources to manage such a large migration, European University Professor Giorgi Gobronidze told Front News on Monday. 

He suggested that the second influx of Russian citizens “is qualitatively different” from the first one, and “it will have different social and economic effects” on the country. 

"In all senses and from all points of view, the mass influx of Russian citizens carries risks, because the Georgia state does not have the resources to manage such a large migration today. The current influx is more serious than the initial one at the beginning of Russia’s war in Ukraine, and it will have a completely different social and economic effect. Therefore, we will face a serious risk", said Gobronidze

The Professor said that the motives and reasons behind the influx “do not matter”, as the major issue was an absence of a consistent migration policy.

“Staying in Georgia is very easy for Russian citizens as they are able to be here almost a year without a visa. If we look at the individuals entering Georgia from Russia, these are groups of people who in many cases arrive without luggage and other necessary items. In many cases, they have no idea that they are coming to a country whose territories are occupied by Russia and against whose population their authorities have carried out ethnic cleansing," said Gobronidze.

According to the Professor, accepting a large number of migrants can become a problem for the country.

"Over time, this issue may turn out to be an additional social burden for us and a new economic challenge. We have already seen a group of Russians, who broke into a cinema building in Kazakhstan and spent a night there. What guarantee do we have that the same thing will not happen here?!

“Russians come to escape mobilization at any cost. This may also mean that they will establish a lifestyle here that will be unacceptable to us. They come from a country where corruption and crime have become a way of life. The problem is that these people do not express their willingness to treat this country with respect", said Gobronidze.



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The influx of Russian nationals in Georgia carries risks in all aspects because our country lacks resources to manage such a large migration, European University Professor Giorgi Gobronidze told Front News on Monday. 

He suggested that the second influx of Russian citizens “is qualitatively different” from the first one, and “it will have different social and economic effects” on the country. 

"In all senses and from all points of view, the mass influx of Russian citizens carries risks, because the Georgia state does not have the resources to manage such a large migration today. The current influx is more serious than the initial one at the beginning of Russia’s war in Ukraine, and it will have a completely different social and economic effect. Therefore, we will face a serious risk", said Gobronidze

The Professor said that the motives and reasons behind the influx “do not matter”, as the major issue was an absence of a consistent migration policy.

“Staying in Georgia is very easy for Russian citizens as they are able to be here almost a year without a visa. If we look at the individuals entering Georgia from Russia, these are groups of people who in many cases arrive without luggage and other necessary items. In many cases, they have no idea that they are coming to a country whose territories are occupied by Russia and against whose population their authorities have carried out ethnic cleansing," said Gobronidze.

According to the Professor, accepting a large number of migrants can become a problem for the country.

"Over time, this issue may turn out to be an additional social burden for us and a new economic challenge. We have already seen a group of Russians, who broke into a cinema building in Kazakhstan and spent a night there. What guarantee do we have that the same thing will not happen here?!

“Russians come to escape mobilization at any cost. This may also mean that they will establish a lifestyle here that will be unacceptable to us. They come from a country where corruption and crime have become a way of life. The problem is that these people do not express their willingness to treat this country with respect", said Gobronidze.