The US is concerned about the resumption of direct flights between Russia and Georgia, said Matthew Miller, Spokesperson of the US Department of State at the press briefing, warning companies in Georgian airports could be at risk for sanctions.

Miller stressed that now is “not the time” to build up engagement with Russia.

“A number of events happened since our last press conference. First of all, we found out that Lavrov’s sanctioned daughter showed up in Georgia, and Russia – Russian aircraft showed up in Tbilisi. Now Georgian aircraft is poised to fly to Moscow. Where has the U.S. been in these days? There is no reaction and no sanction.

So, I will say with respect to Russian aircraft in Georgia, many Western countries, including the United States, prohibit Russian aircraft from entering airspace. We have been concerned about direct flights between Russia and Georgia resuming. It means – it could mean that companies in Georgian airports could be at risk for sanctions. We – the entire Western community has distanced itself from this regime, and now is not the time to increase engagement with Russia,” he said.