Archil Gorduladze, a senior figure in Georgia’s ruling party, has reiterated that any engagement with Russia will remain strictly limited to issues of territorial integrity, following renewed rhetoric from Moscow suggesting interest in closer ties.
Speaking as chairman of parliament’s Legal Affairs Committee, Gorduladze said Georgia would only maintain relations with what he described as an “occupying country” in matters concerning “the extension of our country’s full jurisdiction over unrecognized de facto territories.” His comments came in response to recent remarks by Maria Zakharova, who indicated that Tbilisi may be open to more “constructive relations” with Moscow.
Georgia and Russia have not had formal diplomatic relations since the Russo-Georgian War, a brief but consequential conflict that resulted in Russia recognizing the independence of the breakaway regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. The international community, including the United Nations and the European Union, continues to regard both territories as part of Georgia.
Tbilisi has since pursued a dual-track approach: refusing diplomatic ties with Moscow while maintaining limited communication channels on security and humanitarian issues, including border incidents and conflict prevention mechanisms.
Gorduladze’s remarks confirm this policy line, emphasizing that any dialogue must center on restoring Georgia’s territorial integrity. “Everyone knows very well that there are no diplomatic relations,” he said, adding that engagement would only occur where it serves national interests tied to sovereignty.
The statement also reflects ongoing domestic political tensions. Gorduladze defended the governing Georgian Dream party against accusations, frequently raised by opposition groups, that it maintains informal ties with the Kremlin.
He argued that if such ties existed, Moscow would not issue statements perceived as favorable toward the Georgian government. Instead, he suggested, external actors may be attempting to influence Georgia’s internal political landscape.
“Our main interest is the unification of our territories, ensuring peace, and creating guarantees for economic progress,” Gorduladze said, framing the government’s approach as pragmatic and aligned with public priorities.
Zakharova, speaking for Russia’s foreign ministry, said relations between the two countries have a “natural character” and claimed that Georgia appears interested in constructive engagement. She also criticized what she described as “Western practices” in diplomacy, contrasting them with Russia’s approach.
Her comments come as one of numerous periodic signals from Moscow that it is open to restoring broader ties with Tbilisi, including economic and transport links. In recent years, direct flights and trade have partially resumed, despite the absence of formal diplomatic relations.
Analysts note that while economic interactions between the two countries have increased, political normalization remains constrained by the unresolved status of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. Public opinion in Georgia has consistently favored Euro-Atlantic integration, including closer ties with the European Union and NATO, further complicating any potential rapprochement with Russia.
By Team GT
