Russia signals willingness to boost economic ties with Georgia via EAEU

Russia and Georgia could expand cooperation through economic groupings such as the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) despite their political differences, a senior Russian lawmaker has said.

Alexei Chepa, first deputy chairman of the Russian State Duma’s Committee on International Affairs, told NEWS.ru that progress would depend largely on Georgia’s stance and its willingness to engage in such formats of cooperation.

He said that if Tbilisi showed readiness for integration within structures like the EAEU, Russia, as Georgia’s closest neighbour, could offer favourable conditions.

Chepa expressed confidence that closer engagement with countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) would bring significant benefits for Georgia, suggesting that economic rapprochement could lead to positive changes even in the absence of full political alignment.

By Sabina Mammadli