Georgia has “pragmatic and principled” stance on Russia - PM

When it comes to the occupation of Georgia’s territories, the Government has a “pragmatic and principled” stance on Russia, Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze said on Tuesday at a press briefing.

Georgia does not have diplomatic relations [with Russia] even today. The reason for this is the occupation of 20 percent of our territories. [...] In terms of Georgia-Russia relations, everything is clear”, Kobakhide noted, adding Georgia was the only country in the region that did not have diplomatic relations with Russia.

He stressed his Government was “actively working” in the direction of the non-recognition policy of Georgia's Russian-occupied territories and “has been successfully implementing” it since coming into power in 2012.

Kobakhidze also pointed out “the double standards of the opponents [domestic opposition] in their attitude towards Russia”, noting when a Russian song had been performed at the political rally of the United National Movement opposition party “it did not cause any turbulence”.

You can also remember that a few days after the start of the war in Ukraine, the Ukrainian politician David Arakhamia addressed the crowd in Russian at the rally on Rustaveli Avenue [last year]”, he added.

The Head of the Government emphasised the ruling team had “very clear lines” regarding Russia, emphasising “we don't need to show excessive hatred and aggression either, but we need to be principled regarding all the issues related to our national problems”.