Speaker of the Georgian Parliament reiterated his refusal to impose sanctions against Russia

Georgia will not impose sanctions against Russia, so as not to “aggravate relations” with Russia. This was stated by the Speaker of the Georgian Parliament Shalva Papuashvili, writes Sputnik Georgia.

“Georgia is not going to impose sanctions against Russia based on the national interests of our population, so as not to aggravate relations,” the speaker assured.

Today, on May 10, Russia resumed air communication with Georgia, which was terminated in the summer of 2019. In addition, on May 15, the Russian Federation canceled the visa regime for Georgian citizens. Relevant decrees signed by Russian President Vladimir Putin.

After that, Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili named the decision of the Russian authorities is a provocation and unacceptable against the backdrop of the continuation of the military operation in Ukraine. She also urged convene a Security Council and consider introducing three-month visas for Russians.

Georgia has repeatedly stated that it will not impose restrictions against the Russian Federation. The authorities cited national interests as the reason for this decision. In November 2022, Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili reiterated that the republic was not going to follow anyone’s directives. He noted that the Georgian authorities “will do what the country needs.”

On May 1 this year, Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze toldthat Georgia did not receive the status of a candidate member of the European Union due to the fact that the country did not join the sanctions against Russia. In the summer of 2022, the European Parliament adopted a resolution according to which Moldova and Ukraine got the fastest granting of such a status.

Then the President of the European Council Charles Michel explained that Georgia can get the status of a candidate after “a number of conditions are met.” At the end of November, EU Ambassador to Georgia Pavel Gerchinsky said that the EU member states would decide on granting Georgia the status of a candidate member of the bloc by the end of 2023. He noted that the EU is monitoring the implementation of 12 recommendations that are necessary to obtain the status.

Despite refusal From military aid, Tbilisi sends humanitarian aid to Ukraine and provides political support to Kyiv.