President of Georgia Criticizes Russia's Decision to Resume Flights and Cancel Visas, Calling It a Provocative and Unacceptable Move
By Liza Mchedlidze
Thursday, May 11, 2023
At a briefing in response to Russia's resumption of direct flights with Georgia and cancellation of the visa regime, Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili urged the government to take a clear stance and convene the Security Council to discuss the possibility of introducing 3-month visas.
According to the President of Georgia, Russia's decision to resume direct flights with Georgia and cancel the visa regime is a provocative and unacceptable move at an untimely moment. She questioned the purpose of this provocation, suggesting it could be an attempt to cover up Russia's recent failures in Bakhmut, Ukraine and inability to demonstrate strength.
Alternatively, According to her, it may be a response to the European Union's recent announcement of an 11th package of sanctions against Russia. Regardless, she believes the main objective of this provocation is to challenge the Georgian society and government, presenting a significant challenge to both.
The President said that this move will create tension between the parties involved, as it is clear that Russia is acting solely in its own interests.
Zourabichvili expressed her disappointment that the government has not yet realized or considered the historical examples demonstrating that the Russian government does not respond to concessions with concessions. Instead, they tend to make the situation even more difficult.
The President called on the government to take a clear stance and make their position known and urged the Security Council to convene publicly to discuss the establishment of 3-month visas, which are necessary even for internal challenges.
"Today, we all heard another provocative statement from Russia. The purpose of this provocation is possibly to cover up their failure, collapse, in Bakhmut. I am not sure how to describe it, but I mean to refer to the situation where they are unable to demonstrate their power. This could be in response to the 11th package of sanctions announced by the European Union yesterday.
It could be many things, but the main issue for us is that this provocation challenges our society and our government faces a significant challenge. This will undoubtedly cause some tension, at least between the parties. Otherwise, I am sure it will not cause tension in society. Instead, it will cause a reaction that understands very well that Russia is taking these steps based on its own interests.
It is regrettable that our government has not yet understood or considered the historical examples that demonstrate that the Russian government does not respond to concessions with concessions. Instead, it responds by making the situation more difficult. This is a permanent method of behavior, and the government should be aware of it. I have expressed my position on Twitter. I believe it is inappropriate and untimely.
We do not need to remove visas or restore flights as long as Russia remains an aggressor to the whole world. Such a gesture by the occupier is untimely and unacceptable. I call on the government to make its position clear. It is time for what I have repeatedly requested - the Security Council to meet publicly and discuss the establishment of 3-month visas, which we need even based on internal challenges" Zourabichvili stated.
