Kelly Degnan, the United States Ambassador to Georgia, on Monday said Tbilisi and Washington had been working to try to set up direct flights between the states for several years, noting it was a “commercial decision that airlines need to agree to”.

“We, of course, will be very supportive of this, and I think the government of Georgia will be as well”, Degnan said in her press comments. 

The remarks came following Moscow's move last week to resume direct flights with Georgia it canceled in 2019 and remove the visa regime it had with the country since 2000, amid its ongoing aggression against Ukraine. 

“I understand why Georgians have some concerns about the restoration of direct flights between Moscow and Georgia. Again, I think the question is: Why is Putin giving this “gift” to Georgia now? I think most Georgians would be much happier to have Putin withdraw Russian forces from Abkhazia and Tskhinvali, fulfill Russia’s obligations under the ceasefire agreement, and reverse recognition of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali. That would be a real gesture that would be meaningful to Georgians”, Degnan said. 

She noted “Putin does not give anything for free, so, I think it is very important to question why is he giving this instead of something that would be truly meaningful to Georgia”.