EU calls Georgia to reject resuming direct flights with Russia

The European Union has called on Georgia not to resume direct flights with Russia, emphasizing the risk of secondary sanctions for supporters of the Russian Federation.

“We are aware of the last discussions about the resumption of direct flights between Georgia and Russia. The European Union imposed sanctions on the Russian aviation industry and banned flights through the Russian Federation, as a result of illegal aggression against Ukraine. The European Union called on Georgia to join the sanctions, imposed by the European Union and other countries against the Russian aviation industry and be careful about the attempts to circumvent sanctions, as the sanctions regime provides secondary sanctions for those who take part or support circumvention of sanctions,” Peter Stano, a Lead Spokesperson for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy of the European Union, said, per Defense Express.

It’s getting harder for Russia to maintain the technical state of the planes, so it is dangerous to use and take these aircraft at the airports.

The US stated that companies that maintain Russian planes at Georgian airports would be put at risk of sanctions.

Should be noted that Irakli Kobakhidze, the Executive Secretary and Political Council Member of the ruling party “Georgian Dream – Democratic Georgia”, claimed that the suspension of direct flights had been a unilateral decision of Moscow and they could be resumed on a unilateral basis as well.