Part of the Georgian opposition parties considers Russia’s cancellation of the visa regime for Georgian citizens as a reward for the Georgian government’s anti-Western policy.
“Putin’s decision today is a reward for the Georgian government for the policy that Bidzina Ivanishvili, Georgian Dream, the Georgian government has been pursuing in the country in recent months, after the Russian invasion of Ukraine. This is an anti-Western, anti-Ukrainian policy, and exactly Putin’s decision to reward the Georgian government refers to the fact that, from his point of view, he lifted the ban on flights and visa restrictions”, – believes MP Khatia Dekanoidze.
According to MP Tinatin Bokuchava, a member of the UNM, there is a pro-Russian force in the government of Georgia, and Putin’s decision is also logical:
“The occupant country does not consider Georgia as a hostile state because it is clear to everyone that today there is a pro-Russian force in the government of Georgia, and this is confirmed by a number of facts,” she stated.
According to Tinatin Bokuchava, the proof of this is not only the cancellation of the visa regime for Georgian citizens, but also the anti-Ukrainian policy of the Georgian government, anti-Western messages, etc.
“The loyalty of the Georgian Dream was appreciated by Putin’s regime. This is direct evidence that there is a connection between them. They are doing this in order to charge us for the membership of the Eurasian Union in exchange for the membership of the candidate of the European Union,” said Giorgi Vashadze, the leader of “Strategy Agmashenebeli”.
Gigi Tsereteli, Chairman of the Political Council of “European Georgia”, considers the decision “complete hypocrisy” and part of a hybrid war.
According to him, in this situation, this action of Russia seems to be a signal that something is improving with Georgia, but in reality, on the contrary, it makes Georgia’s communication with the West even more difficult.
“He is harming the Western perspective of our country and is fighting for us to stand alone in the face of him. Russia should not cancel visas, it should withdraw its troops from Georgia and end the occupation.
This is both a request and an obligation that Russia has taken, and it is very unfortunate that the Georgian authorities practically do not remind it of this obligation and may even welcome the restoration of flights and the cancellation of visas”, said Gigi Tsereteli.
For the record, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia canceled the recommendation for Russian citizens, according to which the agency advised them to refrain from traveling to Georgia, said Maria Zakharova, the Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia.
