PM: No diplomatic relations with Russia without restoring Georgia’s borders

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze has said that diplomatic relations with Russia will not be restored without the restoration of Georgia's territorial integrity.

"However, Georgia is pursuing a pragmatic policy that is essential for its survival," Kobakhidze said in an interview with the Swiss weekly Die Weltwoche, Caliber.Az reports, citing Georgian media.

"We have no diplomatic relations, and there will be none without the restoration of Georgia's territorial integrity. But, again, we are pursuing a pragmatic policy. Without pragmatism, Georgia simply cannot survive," Kobakhidze noted. 

Currently, there are no diplomatic ties between Georgia and Russia. These relations were severed by Georgia following the August 2008 conflict, when Moscow recognized the independence of Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali region (South Ossetia).

The Georgian prime minister said that this is one of the main lessons from the country’s history. He also emphasised that there are specific areas in bilateral relations tied to Georgia's territorial integrity. 

"Without the restoration of our country's territorial integrity, diplomatic relations will not be restored. This is not only a political issue, but also a legal one," Kobakhidze added.

Russia introduced a visa regime for Georgian citizens in 2000. In early 2012, Georgia unilaterally abolished this visa requirement. In mid-May 2023, Russia lifted the visa regime for Georgian citizens, which had been in place since 2000, and also removed the ban on direct flights between Georgia and Russia, imposed in 2019. In October 2024, a decree was issued to extend the visa-free regime to Georgian citizens entering Russia for work or for stays longer than 90 days.

By Naila Huseynova