Georgian ruling party ‘rules out’ restoring diplomatic ties with Russia amid ongoing occupation

Mamuka Mdinaradze, the Executive Secretary of the ruling Georgian Dream party, on Tuesday “ruled out” any prospect of restoring diplomatic relations with Russia while the Kremlin continued to occupy Georgian territories.

“As long as Georgia’s territories are occupied, there will be no positive response from our side to such issues,” Mdinaradze said, referring to the restoration of diplomatic relations. He added that any future dialogue would depend on Russia demonstrating a shift in its stance that benefited Georgia.

Tbilisi cut diplomatic ties with Moscow following the 2008 war, after Russia recognized the independence of the breakaway regions of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali (South Ossetia). Both territories remain under Russian military control.

Mdinaradze emphasized that while Georgia remained open to discussion in principle, current conditions made talks impossible.

“When the occupier starts talking about this issue in a positive context for Georgia, then we will talk about everything,” he said. “But as long as it continues to occupy Georgia’s territories, the occupying country will not receive a positive response from us.”