Russia signals readiness to normalise ties with Georgia

Russia has reiterated its readiness to normalise relations with Georgia, stressing that such a process is possible only if Tbilisi is not used as a “bargaining chip” in anti-Russian political manoeuvring.

According to Russian media, the position was outlined on December 16 by Mikhail Kalugin, Director of the Fourth CIS Countries Department at the Russian Foreign Ministry.

Kalugin said Moscow views the current foreign policy course of the Georgian authorities as pragmatic and multi-vector in nature. He noted in particular that Georgia has refrained from joining coalitions aimed against Russia and has rejected calls to open a so-called “second front.”

Kalugin also emphasised that, despite the absence of formal diplomatic relations, Russia and Georgia continue to maintain active contacts that, in his words, deliver mutual benefits to both sides.

His remarks came amid broader regional debate over Georgia’s foreign policy orientation. Earlier, Georgian Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili urged European Union countries to stop pressuring Tbilisi to escalate tensions with Moscow, arguing that the EU, which positions itself as a peace project, should distance itself from what he described as support for extremism.

Georgia and Russia have had no diplomatic relations since August 2008, when Tbilisi severed ties following the conflict with Moscow and Russia’s subsequent recognition of the independence of Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali region (South Ossetia).

After Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Georgia condemned the action but declined to join Western-led economic and financial sanctions against Moscow, framing its stance as one of pragmatic neutrality aimed at safeguarding national interests. At the same time, Tbilisi provided humanitarian assistance to Ukraine, took in tens of thousands of Ukrainian refugees, and supported numerous international resolutions condemning Russia’s actions.

This careful balancing between solidarity with Ukraine and caution toward Russia has increasingly complicated Georgia’s relations with the West. On November 28, 2024, Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze announced that Georgia's EU accession negotiations had been suspended until the end of 2028, though he added that his government would continue to implement the reforms required for accession and that it still planned for Georgia to join the EU by 2030. 

By Tamilla Hasanova