Russian President Vladimir Putin has appointed Davit Tsetskhladze, the head of the Georgian diaspora, to the Inter-National Relations Council. As per Russian state media, a representative of the Georgian diaspora had not previously been part of the council.
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Davit Tshekladze is the president of the public organization Federal Georgian National-Cultural Autonomy in Russia. He advocates for the initiation of direct dialogue between Russia and Georgia and has addressed the governments of both countries in this regard.
"The absence of diplomatic relations between the states has a negative effect on everything; it does not provide an opportunity for development economically, socially, humanitarianly, or spiritually," says Tshekladze. He believes that restoring direct air traffic between the countries and lifting the visa regime for Georgian citizens is not sufficient.
Tshekladze also supports Russia's war in Ukraine. In August, when the Ukrainian armed forces launched an offensive in the Kursk region, he urged the Georgian fighters participating in the operation to lay down their weapons and expressed his willingness to take cover from the bullets they fired at the Russians.
"Hundreds of thousands of Georgians live in the Russian Federation and work in all areas of the country's life. Georgians in Russia, together with all other nations, are creating a better future for their children in peace and friendship. The presence of mercenaries of Georgian nationality in the Kursk district is directed against each of us. I call on all Georgians serving in the armed forces of Ukraine to lay down their arms and return to their families. This is not your war, and you are not the official representatives of Georgia waving the flag of Georgia in the ranks of the armed forces of Ukraine.
I will personally come to Kursk and stop the bullets that are being fired at the Russians," said Tsetskhladze.
The Inter-National Relations Council is a deliberative body under the President of Russia that discusses issues related to the implementation of the Russian state national policy. Among its other functions, the Council prepares proposals for submission to the President to determine national policy priorities.
The Inter-National Relations Council was established in 2012 based on an order from Vladimir Putin, who serves as its chairman.
