by Chris Lewis (EIRNS) — Jun. 13, 2024
According to the Georgian TV channel Mtavari Arkhi, Georgia is actively pursuing restoration of diplomatic relations with Russia after 16 years. Relations were broken in 2008, after the armed conflict in South Ossetia, which Russia has recognized and in which Russia maintains a military presence. Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin expressed readiness for such normalization, promising that Russia will not interfere in Georgia’s internal affairs, reported News.az.
Direct flights between Moscow and Tbilisi and visa freedom have been resumed. Europe and the U.S. have imposed sanctions as a result of legislation requiring NGOs and others to register, if they receive more that 20% of their funding from foreign sources. The U.S. State Department is one of the largest contributors to Georgian NGOs. The lack of participation of American soldiers on Georgia’s May 26th Independence Day was another indication of cool relations between the two countries. At the recent Ukrainian donor conference in Berlin, no one wanted to talk to Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze, not even German Chancellor Scholz, according to News.az.