Georgia doesn’t need to increase dependence on Moscow – US ambassador on Russia’s lifting travel, visa restrictions with Georgia

Georgia does not need to increase its dependence on Russia, because this gives Moscow a dangerous lever, US Ambassador to Georgia Kelly Degnan on Thursday said in response to the decision of the Russian government on Wednesday to resume direct flights with Georgia and lift visa requirements for the country’s citizens imposed since 2000. 

 

“There is a difference between 2019 [when Moscow canceled flights with Georgia] and today. Now Russia has once again attacked Ukraine and destabilized the entire region with this unjustified and brutal war, the goal of which is to seize Ukrainian territories and cancel Ukraine’s independence, said the diplomat. 

Degnan noted Tbilisi was no longer dependent on Russian tourism and business and “therefore, Georgia does not need to increase its dependence on Russia, because this gives Moscow a dangerous lever, and we know that such levers have been used many times in other countries. Georgia should no longer fall into this trap”. 

She added her office needed information on the Georgian government’s reaction to Moscow’s move to decide on sanctions, but added “although I think there will be sanctions”. 

The Georgian government claimed sanctioned Russian aircraft would not be allowed to enter the country’s airspace, and reiterated its “commitment” to international sanctions imposed on Russia for invading Ukraine last year.