Putin: I Thought Everyone Would Be Thankful in Georgia… Are They Crazy?

Putin made these statements today at a meeting with the members of the forum “Delovaya Rossiya” (Business Russia). The issue was raised by Roman Bokeria, the co-founder and 35% shareholder of the Moscow Business Brokerage 50% of which belongs to the former chief prosecutor of Georgia, Otar Fartskhaladze.

“I was recently elected to the business council of Business Russia, where I represent our company “Moskovsky Business Brokerage.” I also serve as the business ambassador of Georgia within Business Russia. Therefore, I want to thank you for lifting the flight ban and enacting a visa-free policy. I, likely more than anyone, understand how important access to direct flights is to Russian and Georgian citizens. That is why I again express my utmost gratitude,” Roman Bokeria, who served as a general director of Georgian Airways from 2019-2021, addressed Putin.

“I always try to consult my colleagues, but this time, it was really my proposal and my decision, prompted by many circumstances, among them, vacation season. I wanted to support people in Georgia who strive towards normalizing relations with Russia; help our businesses, and our citizens, who love Georgia and want to visit there and interact with Georgian nature, culture, cuisine, and so on.

If I’m honest, the reaction that followed was completely unexpected. I thought everyone would say: “thanks, it’s nice”, but no, instead, an inexplicable turmoil ensued over there. It is strange and unexpected. When I think about it, I think to myself – did they go crazy? or what is happening, it’s beyond me.

It seemed to me that the Georgian authorities were raising the possibility of restoring air travel and lifting the visa policy many times, so we made this step, but what goes on inside the country is none of our business. The people should decide Georgia’s development path for themselves. Regardless, we are prepared to do our part, we are taking steps forward, and will continue to move further depending on how our partners react. I always knew that this would be good for business, and I am glad you are confirming this. Wish you luck,” stated Putin.

On May 10, Russian President Vladimir Putin lifted a ban on direct flights with Georgia, which he had imposed back on June 21, 2019. He simultaneously issued a decree canceling a visa policy, in effect since 2000, for Georgian citizens. Diplomatic relations between the two countries have been severed since the Russo-Georgian War of 2008, however, Moscow doesn’t rule out that the re-establishment of diplomatic relations could be the next step.

Head of the Georgian Government Irakli Gharibashvili applauded Putin’s decision and stated that it will make life easier for up to a million Georgians living in Russia. He reassures that the flights will be conducted only by non-sanctioned airlines and aircraft.

The first Moscow-Tbilisi flight in four years was performed on May 19 by Azimuth Airlines and carried 89 passengers. Among them were pro-Russian Georgian politicians, activists, and businessmen – Valeri Kvaratskhelia, Dimitri Lortkipanidze, Merab Chikashvili, and Mamuka Fifia.

From June, another Russian airline Red Wings will direct flights on Sochi-Tbilisi-Sochi and Moscow-Kutaisi-Moscow routes. Georgian Airways also launched flights to Moscow.

Part of Georgian citizens and politicians are against direct air travel with Russia, seeing it as a way of rapprochement with Russia and losing strategic partners. Among the opponents is the President of Georgia, Salome Zurabishvili, who boycotted Georgian Airways in protest of Moscow flights, and proposed the introduction of 3-month visas for Russians.