Kasianov’s statements “shameful” – ruling party head

Irakli Kobakhidze, the head of the ruling Georgian Dream party, on Tuesday criticized Ukrainian diplomat Andriy Kasianov for his recent comments, that the resumption of Russia-Georgia direct flights could lead to evacuation of Ukrainian citizens stranded in Georgia. 

Calling the statement a “shameful speculation”, Kobakhidze said Ukraine would have to evacuate its citizens, if Georgia had handed arms to Kyiv, as requested, as such a move would get Tbilisi involved in the conflict. 

He also said the Georgian authorities had been “used to such statements” by the charge’d’affairs, and noted the resumption of the direct flights was up to the  Russian government. 

The official noted that if the flights “unilaterally suspended” by Russia in 2019, would resume, the move would benefit a million Georgian citizens living in Russia. 

Russia suspended direct flights with Georgia as its MPs were forced to leave the country in June 2019, following the move of a Russian lawmaker to occupy the seat of the Georgian parliamentary speaker during an international conference.