US threatens Georgia with sanctions when resuming flights with Russia

The United States may impose sanctions against Georgia if it agrees to resume flights with Russia. This warning was made by State Department spokesman Vedant Patel.

“If direct flights between Russia and Georgia resume, we will of course be concerned that companies in Georgia could be at risk of sanctions if they serve aircraft subject to import and export controls,” he said (quote according to RIA Novosti).

On May 10, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree on the resumption of air traffic with Georgia, which was terminated in the summer of 2019. In addition, by a separate decree, on May 15, he canceled the visa regime for Georgian citizens. Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili criticized this decision, but he was supported by many other politicians, including Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili. Georgia is a parliamentary republic.

“All decisions that will make life, travel and business easier for our citizens are positive and welcome,” Garibashvili said on May 11. He also noted that Georgia will not impose unilateral sanctions against Russia, as this will only create problems for the local population and businesses.