Putin welcomes Georgian athletes to Sochi Olympics

Russian President Vladimir Putin has expressed happiness that Geoergian athletes decided to take part in the 2014 Winter Olympic Games in Sochi and said he supports establishing a relationship with Georgia.  

"It is nonsense; there is no need to create something in an empty place. I am glad the Georgian Olympic team came to Sochi as it is a good sign and the right sign as the Olympic Games supports positive relationships [between countries] even when it is sometimes impossible and difficult,” Putin told Georgian journalists.  

He highlighted the importance of launching the direct flights between Tbilisi and Sochi before the Olympic Games had started and said the flights would continue after the Olympics had finished. 

Putin also wished the Georgian athletes success and said the country always presented "very successfully" at the Summer Olympic Games.  

"Particularly the Georgian national Judo team is one of the leaders in the world and Judo is my favourite kind of sport. I believe that Georgian athletes will show off here too,” he said.  Asked if he would meet his Georgian counterpart, Putin responded: "If I would wish, why not.” 

Shortly after Putin’s announcement, Georgian President Giorgi Margvelashvili commented that he would take the President’s remark seriously.  

"Georgian-Russian relations are one of most the most painful and problematic issues for Georgia. Thus we will discuss this remark very seriously ... and will formulate our position,” Margvelashvili said.  

"If there is an opportunity that this kind of meeting will produce some kind of positive benefit to enhance the Russia-Georgia relationship, then we are ready to discuss these very problematic issues.” 

The Georgian President did not exclude he would discuss his possible meeting with the Russian President with Western allies.        

Last week, Georgia denied that President Georgi Margvelashvili would travel to Sochi for the Olympic Games after the Kremlin said he could meet President Putin there, in which would be the neighbors' first major encounter since the 2008 War.  

Following the August War, Russia has recognised the two breakaway regions of Georgia, Abkhazia and South Ossetia, as independent nations. This move caused Tbilisi to cut diplomatic ties with its former Soviet master.