Georgia’s Russia relations representative leaves office, PM says

Georgian Prime Minister’s Special Representative for Relations with Russia Giorgi Kajaia has left his position, which remains vacant, Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze said.

“At this stage, the position is vacant. Kajaia has moved to another field and left the position of his own accord,” Kobakhidze said at a briefing in response to a question about whether Kajaia was holding meetings with the Russian side.

Giorgi Kajaia was appointed in March 2024 as the Georgian Prime Minister’s Special Representative for Relations with Russia, succeeding Zurab Abashidze, who had held the post since late 2012 and helped launch the informal bilateral dialogue format with Russia. 

Despite that limited pragmatic channel, relations between Georgia and Russia remain strained, particularly over the status of Abkhazia and South Ossetia.

Kobakhidze has repeatedly stated that diplomatic ties cannot be restored while Moscow continues to recognise the independence of those territories, even as he has declined to label Russia an “enemy.” 

Economic contacts, including trade, tourism and direct flights, have expanded in recent years, yet civil society groups continue to warn of a phased annexation process and the Georgian government’s refusal to join Western sanctions has drawn international criticism.

By Jeyhun Aghazada