US to “monitor” Russia-Georgia flights, take steps “if necessary”

The United States Department of State on Tuesday said it was observing the developments related to the restoration of direct Georgia-Russia flights, and said it would take actions “if necessary”. 

 

“If there are direct flights between Russia and Georgia, it will be a concern not only for the United States and other Western countries, but also for companies that may operate at Georgian airports, if they serve aircraft that are involved in import and export and other issues. The entire Western society has distanced itself from the Russian Federation, and we believe that now is not the time to intensify relations with it,” said Vedant Patel, the US Department of State spokesperson. 

 

He noted “we will continue to monitor the situation closely and take additional steps if necessary. But I can not say anything in advance,” he added. 

 

Russia last week announced it lifted visa and travel restrictions with Georgia, with the latter’s authorities saying it was “welcomed” from the humanitarian point of view.