Russia signals willingness to restore diplomatic ties with Georgia, Tbilisi cites occupation as ‘key obstacle’

Russia has expressed its readiness to restore diplomatic relations with Georgia, a move Moscow claimed had been grounded in “shared history and cultural ties”.

In an interview with Russian state-affiliated newspaper Izvestia last week, Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin claimed that Moscow was prepared to re-establish formal diplomatic links with Tbilisi.

“Russia and Georgia are united by a common history, common faith, cultural, humanitarian and human ties,” Galuzin said. “Understanding the historically close ties between our countries and peoples, guided by the need to develop comprehensive mutually beneficial cooperation for the benefit of the two peoples, the Russian side has taken very important steps in recent years.”

He pointed to the restoration of direct flights and the reintroduction of visa-free travel for Georgian citizens last year as signs of goodwill.

“As for diplomatic relations, we are ready to restore them. We are ready to go as far as the Georgian side is ready to go. There are no restrictions for us here,” Galuzin added.

Tbilisi severed diplomatic ties with Moscow in 2008 following Russia’s recognition of the independence of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali (South Ossetia), two breakaway regions of Georgia. Russia maintains a military presence in both territories, which the Georgian government and much of the international community consider occupied.

Responding to Galuzin’s remarks, Georgian Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili on Monday said the “only barrier” to normalising ties was the continued occupation of Georgian territory.

“There is only one barrier to the restoration of relations between Georgia and Russia, and that is the occupation of Georgian territories by Russia,” Papuashvili told reporters. “Russia can very easily remove this barrier. As soon as we see steps to remove it, of course, it will be possible to restore these relations.”

He stressed that there were no other issues standing in the way of diplomatic engagement.

Russia and Georgia restored trade and economic relations in 2013, shortly after the current Georgian Dream authorities took office following the 2012 parliamentary elections.