Tbilisi won’t impose visa requirements amid EU’s possible Schengen visa ban for Russians – Kaladze

Tbilisi has no plans to unleash war against Russia or impose visa requirements for Russian citizens, Tbilisi Mayor, Secretary-General of the ruling Georgian Dream party, Kakha Kaladze, said on Thursday, responding to EU’s possible ban on Schengen visas for Russian citizens amid the latter’s continues aggression against Ukraine. 

“We have repeatedly made a statement that Georgia will not start a war and will not get involved in Russia’s war in Ukraine. There will be no second front in Georgia.

“Georgia has no plans to impose sanctions on Russia. This is very important. We welcome the influx of tourists, I do not see any problem if any company or an individual is sanctioned , of course, this will be followed in Georgia within the framework of the law and the constitution”, Kaladze said. 

He reiterated that impsong visa requirements for Russians would damage the economy and the domestic tourism field. 

Unlike Georgia whose territory is occupied by Russia,  Russia has demanded visas from Georgian citizens since 2000. 

The Georgian opposition had warned the government that an “uncontrolled influx” of Russian citizens due to Russia’s war in Ukraine could cause additional security threats to Georgia.