US Ambassador to Georgia Raises Concerns over Putin's Decision to Resume Flights and Cancel Visa Regime for Georgians
By Liza Mchedlidze
Friday, May 12, 2023
Kelly Degnan, the US Ambassador to Georgia, stated that Putin's decision to resume flights and cancel the visa regime for Georgians raises concerns about Russia's intentions towards Georgia. Degnan questioned why Putin would make such a move now and whether it would affect Georgia's candidate status. She added that the presence of hundreds of thousands of Russian citizens in Georgia, with the potential for a million more to arrive after the opening of direct flights, could be seen as a tool for Putin to interfere in Georgia's affairs. Degnan said that it is unlikely that Putin is motivated by concern for the comfort of Georgian passengers.
The US Ambassador emphasized that a real show of care from Putin would be to withdraw Russian troops from Abkhazia and Tskhinvali and fulfill his obligations under the ceasefire agreement.
Degnan also reminded that Russia invaded Georgia in 2008 and attempted to destroy Georgia's independence in 1989, suppressed the Georgian language in 1978, and insulted Georgian churches throughout history. She further condemned Russia's attacks on Ukraine and called it a 'bloody regime' that targets residential buildings, schools, and hospitals, and separates children from their families.
"We have seen that sometimes Putin uses the presence of Russians in a country to interfere in its affairs. I believe that many Georgians are already concerned about the hundreds of thousands of Russian citizens who arrived in Georgia last year. Now we hear from the Russian Tourism Agency that a million more may come after the opening of direct flights. If Mr. Putin wants to show that he cares, he should withdraw Russian troops from Abkhazia and Tskhinvali, fulfill his obligations under the ceasefire agreement, and change Russia's recognition of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali. These would be actions that Georgians would appreciate. Let us not forget that this is the same country that invaded Georgia in 2008 and tried to undermine Georgia's independence in 1989. They attempted to suppress the Georgian language in 1978 and have insulted Georgian churches throughout the centuries.
This is a country that is currently attacking Ukraine, just as it did to Georgia 15 years ago, targeting residential buildings, schools, hospitals, and separating children from their families. This gesture from the bloody regime, which is now doing to Ukraine what it did to Georgia 15 years ago, seems strange," said Degnan.
