Sanctioned Russian aircraft “will not enter” Georgian airspace - ruling party head

Irakli Kobakhidze, the head of the ruling Georgian Dream party, on Thursday said Russian aircraft sanctioned by the international community following the country’s invasion of Ukraine would not be allowed to enter Georgian airspace, in response to the Russian Government's move on Wednesday to resume direct flights with Georgia. 

Published on Wednesday, the Russian President Vladimir Putin’s decree resumed air travel between the two countries - which Moscow had cancelled in 2019 - while another decree introduced 90-day visa-free travel for Georgian citizens starting from May 15.

• Deputy Economy Minister: Sanctioned airlines, ships will not operate in Georgia

Kobakhidze stressed the Georgian Government had acted in “full accordance” with international measures against Russia since the beginning of the conflict, with “not a single incident” recorded to demonstrate Russia’s evasion of the sanctions through its use of Georgian territory or financial institutions. 

We have heard a number of unfounded allegations on Georgia’s alleged use [by Russia] to circumvent sanctions. However, not a single evidence has been presented so far to back such claims. The Georgian Government will not allow circumvention of the sanctions”, Kobakhidze said. 

The party official however reiterated the Government had no plans to impose its own sanctions on Russia for invading Ukraine, saying such a move would affect Georgian citizens and the country’s economy. 

• Finance Minister: Imposition or lifting of ban on flights between Georgia, Russia “unilateral decision” of Russian Gov’t

Flights between Russia and Georgia had been suspended by the former in response to rallies in the Georgian capital in 2019, sparked by the incident in which a Russian MP took the seat of the Georgian Parliament Speaker in the lawmaking body during an international religious conference, amid the ongoing occupation of Georgian territories by Russia.