First Russian flight since 2019 met by protests after landing at Tbilisi airport
The flight was operated by the Russian airline Azimut.
A delegation of pro-Kremlin politicians and public figures were on board the flight from Moscow, including the chairman of the Solidarity For Peace organization, Merab Chikashvili; the director of the Georgian-Russian Public Center, Dmitry Lortkipanidze; a member of the Solidarity For Peace organization, Mikhail Zhgenti; a member of the Socialist Georgia movement, Temur Pipia; the head of the Georgian-Russian Friendship Center, Valery Kvaratskhelia; former Georgian MP Temur Maisuradze, Georgian businessman Mamuka Pipia, and others.
On May 10, Russian dictator Vladimir Putin unexpectedly lifted Russia’s visa ban for Georgian citizens and resumed direct flights to the country.
Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili called Russia’s actions “another provocation.
”At the same time, Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili welcomed Putin’s decision to cancel visa requirements for Georgians and the resumption of flights.
Later, Georgian airline Georgian Airways was granted permission to establish direct air travel with Russia.
Ukrainian presidential chief-of-staff Andriy Yermak criticized Tbilisi’s decision, calling it a “misguided stance” and saying that history will ultimately“set things right.
”U.S. State Department Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel said at a briefing on May 16 that “if direct flights take place between Russia and Georgia, that would be of increasing concern – not just to the United States and other Western countries but as well as companies that may be operating out of Georgian airports.”
Russia introduced a visa ban on Georgian citizens in 2000. At the same time, Russians have been able to enter Georgia without visas since 2012, following a unilateral decision by the Georgian government.
After the Russian invasion and the five-day war with the invading Russian army, Georgia severed diplomatic relations with Moscow in 2008. Direct flights between the countries were halted in 2019.
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